Military concludes investigation, indicts two

The military has completed its investigation into the bombing of Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State, indicting two Nigerian Army officers.

The officers will face court-martial as the operation should not have occurred.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, revealed this during a press briefing at Defence Headquarters, on Thursday.

He said, “I want to speak briefly about the incident in Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State as the investigation has been concluded.

“The military conducted a painstaking investigation into the accidental drone strike and has initiated disciplinary actions against troops that were indicted.

“Accordingly, the affected personnel are to face a court-martial for acts of omission or commission with respect to the incident.”

Buba mentioned that the investigation report has been submitted to relevant authorities but refrained from providing further details.

The Army, taking responsibility, attributed it to a mistake.

“I am, however, constrained to speak much about the incident as it would be adjudged as prejudicial being a case before a court-martial.

“However, it must be made clear that the incident was a mistake, as the victims of the strike were mistaken for terrorists.

“It is hoped that there would be no repeat of strikes on non-combatants in ongoing operations. The military will take extra precautions in the future to ensure that non-combatants are safe,” he added.

Responding to questions from journalists, Buba noted that two officers were found guilty.

The bombing of Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State, which took place on December 3, 2023, resulted in numerous casualties during a Maulud celebration.

Two days later, the National Emergency Management Agency reported burying 85 bodies.

Also, Amnesty International’s Nigeria office claimed that 120 people were killed, based on reports from their workers and volunteers in the area.

However, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro, explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.