Accidental Kaduna Village Bombing by Warplane Claims 85 Lives, Sparks Public Outrage 

Tragically, a Nigerian Army warplane, initially denied by the Nigerian Air Force, mistakenly bombed a village near Kaduna during a Maulud celebration, leading to the death of at least 85 villagers. This bombing, which occurred on Sunday night in the Tudun Biri village of the Igabi Local Government Area, has sparked significant public outrage and calls for accountability.

The Kaduna State Government, through its Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed that the Nigerian Army admitted to the village bombing. 

Major General VU Okoro, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, disclosed that the army was executing a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently targeted the community.

The aftermath of the village bombing in Kaduna saw a flurry of emergency responses. Dozens of injured victims were hurriedly evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for urgent medical care. The state government, under the supervision of Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, spearheaded search-and-rescue operations and provided support to the affected families.

Several bodies reacted to the bombing

The Kaduna village bombing has drawn severe criticism from national and international organizations. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have condemned the recurring erroneous bombings by the military. 

These organizations, along with local leaders, have demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and called for measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

This bombing is the latest in a series of accidental military strikes in Nigeria, raising serious concerns about the safety of civilians in conflict areas. According to reports, between September 2017 and 2023, accidental military bombings have claimed the lives of over 425 people, including women and children.

The Kaduna State Government has been actively involved in coordinating the aftermath of the tragedy, holding meetings with Islamic clerics, traditional rulers, and security agency heads to address the situation and prevent further unrest.

The Nigerian Air Force, distancing itself from the incident, stated that it had not conducted any operations in the state in the last 24 hours, hinting at the complexity of military operations in the region.