Protesters swarmed the National Assembly on Wednesday, expressing sorrow and anger over the unintended bombing of Tudun Biri in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State by the Nigerian Army on Sunday night. The incident occurred during a religious celebration, leading to a death toll of 127. Amnesty International has threatened legal action against the Federal Government if a thorough investigation into the killings is not conducted.
The United Nations also called on the military to protect citizens' lives and reduce accidental killings by armed forces in Nigeria. The air strike, initially intended to target terrorists, inadvertently struck civilians, prompting public outrage.
In Abuja, demonstrators took to the National Assembly, demanding justice for the victims and challenging Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru to fulfill his responsibilities or resign. The leader of the protesters, Nasir Ishaku, representing the National Youth Council of Nigeria and Arewa Youth Movement, criticized the worsening security situation under the minister's tenure.
Amnesty International, reacting to the incident, announced its compilation of a list of deceased persons, demanding a government investigation. The death toll rose to 127, with injured individuals being taken to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna. The Federal Government might face compensation costs of approximately N29.21bn according to Islamic laws, as each victim is estimated to be worth about N230m.
The United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the airstrike, urging the military to review its rules of engagement to prevent similar incidents. The military, while acknowledging the accidental nature of the deaths, faced calls for a thorough investigation into possible violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
As survivors and families seek compensation, discussions about Islamic principles and Nigerian law have surfaced. The Peoples Democratic Party called for an independent inquiry into the incident, describing it as heartrending and raising concerns about intelligence, coordination, and command control in the security system.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, visited victims to express condolences, emphasizing that the fight against insurgency would continue despite the unfortunate incident. Meanwhile, the Coalition of Northern Groups condemned the bombing, criticizing the Defence Headquarters for shifting blame and called for improved counterterrorism measures and compensation for victims and their families.
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