Many Kaduna Villagers Feared Killed In Air Strike

……NAF Denies Carrying Out Bomb Attack In Kaduna Village

Many have been reportedly killed in an air strike allegedly carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident is said to have occurred around 9pm on Sunday, when villagers gathered for Maulud celebration.

Although the Air force is yet to confirm the attack, a source in the community told our correspondent that the villagers were mistakenly bombed in the air strike with the intention that they were bandits who were migrating from neighboring Zamfara State to camp in Tudun Biri village.

The source further stated that the incident has created panic within the area as many residents have fled from the community to neighbouring villages for fear of being caught in more bomb attacks.

Following the incident, an emergency security meeting has been convened by the Kaduna State government.

The meeting which is being chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has in attendance the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.

Also in attendance are the Garrison Commander of the One Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and the overseer of Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

NAF Denies Carrying Out Bomb Attack In Kaduna Village

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied being involved in a bombing that left many villagers killed at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Sources from Kaduna had in an earlier report alleged that a jet operated by NAF had dropped a bomb around 9pm on Sunday, when villagers gathered for Maulud celebration, leaving several casualties.

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Reacting to this claim, the Air Force through its spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, noted that NAF has not carried out any air operation in Kaduna within the last 24 hours.

Commodore Gabkwet further asserted that NAF is not the only Service operating combat armed drones within the region.

Below is a full statement from the Nigerian Air Force.

THE NAF HAS NOT UNDERTAKEN ANY AIR OPERATIONS IN KADUNA STATE IN THE LAST 24 HOURS

The news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft accidentally killed innocent civilians in Kaduna is false. Please be informed that the NAF has not carried out any air operations within Kaduna State and environs in the last 24 hours. Also, note that the NAF is not the only organization operating combat armed drones in the North western region of Nigeria.

It is also important to ensure that due diligence is always exhausted by the media before going to press with unverified and unconfirmed reports.

Thank you.

Edward Gabkwet
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force

3 December 2023