Nigerian military drone attack killed 85 civilians mistakenly

Nigerian military drone attack which was supposed to target rebels has killed 85 civilians gathered for a religious celebration in Tudun Biri. This latest attack is a series of mistaken strikes that happened as the Nigerian army pursued armed groups in northern Nigeria.

This attack occurred in Tudun Biri village on Sunday night in Kaduna state’s Igabi council area. Muslims gathered here to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

🔴 At least 85 people were killed by a Nigerian military drone strike that mistakenly targeted a Muslim celebration in the country’s north.

Read more ⤵️ https://t.co/xO0KLJFTY5
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 5, 2023

Nigerian authorities on the drone attack

According to Kaduna Governor Uba Sabi, Muslim civilians were mistakenly killed. Many others were wounded by a drone targeting terrorists and bandits. He has ordered the immediate investigation of the tragic incident in Tudun Biri village.

I HAVE ORDERED IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE TUDUN BIRI VILLAGE TRAGIC INCIDENT

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… pic.twitter.com/YnXEXAIwsg
— Senator Uba Sani (@ubasanius) December 4, 2023

Authorities have found more than 60 people injured as a result of the mistaken drone attack. The Nigerian government’s spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale said today that Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into a military drone attack. President Bola expressed concern and grief about the bombing mishap.

President Bola directs a thorough investigation into the incident and appeals for calm to the victim’s family while officials investigate the tragic incident.

Amnesty International Nigeria has reported that about 120 people have died in the airstrike of the Nigerian army. They demanded to investigation of the incident and to hold account of the Nigerian army for the attack.

The Nigerian authorities must investigate these air strikes and where these investigations indicate criminal responsibility, prosecute those responsible and bring them to justice through fair trial. pic.twitter.com/yXlyelwupw
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) December 5, 2023

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According to Army spokesman Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, troops were conducting aerial patrols. When they noticed a group of civilians and wrongly analyzed. They misinterpreted their pattern of activities to be similar to that of the bandits before the drone strike.

The National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria reported that they have buried 85 dead bodies so far. While the search for dead bodies is still ongoing.

This attack is not the newest one. A Nigerian military plane dropped a bomb on Dalgun in Borno state in Feb 2014 which killed 20 civilians. There are at least 14 documented incidents of such attacks in residential areas in September 2022.