Many Feared Dead As NAF Airstrike Hits Villagers Celebrating Maulud

Many have been reportedly killed in an airstrike allegedly carried out by the Nigerian Air Force at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, channels Television is reporting.

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

Although the Nigerian Air Force is yet to confirm the attack, a source in the community told a Channels TV Correspondent that the villagers were mistakenly bombed in the airstrike with the intention that they were bandits migrating from neighbouring 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.

Reacting to this claim, the the Nigerian Air Force denied responsibility for the bomb dropped in Tudun Biri.

In a WhatsApp message sent to a Channels TV Defence Correspondent, the Director of Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said: “The Nigerian Air Force has not carried out any air operations within Kaduna State and environs in the last 24 hours.

“The Nigerian Air Force isn’t the only Service operating combat armed drones in the region.”

Following the incident, Channels TV said 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 1 Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and of Kaduna State Commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.