The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday, visited Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, to empathise with the people after the military’s erroneous bombing of the community on Sunday.
According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the CoAS, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, arrived early in the day to meet with local leaders, including the Dangaladima Zazau, the District Head of Rigasa, Architect Aminu Idris, and other community members.
In a solemn address, General Lagbaja expressed deep regret for the tragic incident, describing it as profoundly disheartening.
He acknowledged the historical security challenges faced by Tudun Biri and neighbouring villages, emphasizing that Nigerian Army operations in the area had successfully curbed the activities of armed bandits.
General Lagbaja clarified that the unfortunate drone strike resulted from a misinterpretation of the activities observed during aerial patrols.
He personally visited the site to convey sincere apologies to the District Head, the community, and the entire Kaduna State.
He announced the initiation of a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, aiming to identify any deficiencies in human and Artificial Intelligence variables that contributed to the tragic mistake.
Architect Aminu Idris, the District Head of Rigasa, commended the Nigerian Army for accepting responsibility and called for the leadership’s intervention to provide support to hospitalized victims and the affected community.
He emphasized the diverse religious composition of Tudun Biri, refuting earlier claims that it was exclusively a Muslim community.
General Lagbaja extended condolences to religious leaders, including Chairman Jamaa’atu Nasru Islam, Kaduna State Prof Shafiu Abdullahi, and other clerics.
The CoAS also visited victims at the Barua Dikko Teaching Hospital in Anguwan Rimi, Kaduna, expressing concern for their swift recovery and making an immediate donation of provisions for their well-being.