Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has ordered an immediate investigation into circumstances surrounding the airstrike in Tudun Biri village, Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
A military airstrike had killed several people celebrating the Maulud festival in the village on Sunday.
In a statement he issued on Monday, the governor said, “I received with shock news of the tragic incident at Tudun Biri village, Afaka Ward of Rigasa District of Igabi Local Government, where Muslim faithful observing Maulud celebration were mistakenly killed and many others injured following a military drone attack targeting terrorists and bandits.
“Search and rescue operations in the area are ongoing. The State Government has dispatched top government officials to the area to assess the situation, reach out to the families of the victims and advice the government on the immediate actions/measures to be taken to lessen the pains of the families of the victims.
“I have ordered immediate investigation into the tragic incident. We are determined to prevent a repeat of this tragedy and reassure our people that their protection would be prioritized in the sustained fight against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.”
The governor also directed the immediate evacuation of the injured to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for emergency medical attention, adding that his “government will be responsible for their treatment and related logistics”.
Sani urged the affected community, and all residents of the state, to keep calm and continue to support the security forces and the state government in “our battle against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in Kaduna State”.
“I am in consultation with the security forces to ensure that such mistakes are avoided in future operations,” he added.
