A resident of Tudun Biri, Hajiya Aisha, says the Nigerian army dropped two bombs at 30-minute intervals, killing citizens celebrating Maulud in the village on Sunday. Another resident, Idris Dahiru, lamented that 34 family members were wiped out. 

On Monday, Peoples Gazette reported that at least 126 persons were killed as the Nigerian Army “mistakenly” dropped bombs on Tudun Biri village in Igabi LGA, Kaduna.

In an interview with BBC Hausa on Monday, Ms Aisha and Mr Dahiru narrated how the bombings ruined their Maulud celebration, leaving many villagers dead and some hospitalised.

“They (Nigerian army) struck twice. After the first strike, they waited another 30 minutes before the second strike. Those who came to rescue the victims of the first strike were the casualties of the second strike,” Ms Aisha said, lamenting that both children, women and men at the celebration were killed.

“Our annual Maulud celebration was shattered by unexpected airstrikes. The first bomb exploded without warning, killing innocent people, including women and children. Some victims were torn apart by the blast,” Mr Dahiru said, lamenting that his “family alone lost 34 members in this tragedy.”

Mr Dahiru said the army dropped two bombs on the village, with the second killing first responders. 

“As we rushed to aid the injured, the jet returned, unleashing a second bomb. This time, many of those who had come to help were among the casualties. We have 66 loved ones receiving medical care at Barau Dikko Hospital,” Mr Dahiru said. 

Meanwhile, the army has admitted it bombed Tudun Biri by mistake on Sunday while on a routine operation against terrorists. 

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday ordered a probe into the Tudun Biri bombing as Nigerians criticise the army for incessant bombing of innocent citizens.

In 2021, Peoples Gazette reported that the Nigerian Air Force Alpha jet, in an ariel attack on armed bandits in Niger, mistakenly killed wedding guests. A similar bombing claimed over 100 civilians in January 2023.

Before then, the air force, in an airstrike, killed some Nigerian soldiers, mistaking them for insurgents. A soldier in a video published by The Gazette was seen reporting the incident and called for help.