JUST IN: Army takes responsibility for bombing Kaduna villagers

The Nigerian Army has taken responsibility for Sunday’s Air Strike that left many villagers killed and several others injured at Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State.

This development was confirmed by Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs at the end of an emergency security meeting on Monday.

Aruwan said a meeting was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, which had in attendance heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, the Nigerian Army.

Aruwan said that the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack were explained.

He added, “The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Valentine Okoro explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.

“The Deputy Governor at the end of the closed-door meeting, conveyed the condolences of the Government and People of Kaduna State to the families that lost their loved ones, and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.

“As of the time of this update, search-and-rescue efforts are still ongoing, as dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the Government.$

Aruwan said that the heads of security agencies who attended the meeting included the Commissioner of Police, M. Y. Garba and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Abdul Eneche.

“The Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of Jam’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Professor Shafi’u Abdullahi, led other religious leaders.

“Also present at the meeting was the District of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris in whose domain the incident occurred, “Aruwan said (NAN)