In a heart-wrenching turn of events in Tudun Biri, located in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, survivors of an accidental bombing by the Nigerian Army are speaking out, revealing the harrowing experiences of a community devastated by two consecutive airstrikes.
The unintended tragedy occurred during a religious celebration on Sunday night as the military sought to eliminate terrorists but inadvertently struck civilians. The death toll, initially reported at 85 by the National Emergency Management Agency on Monday night, has now risen to a staggering 120, according to officials from Amnesty International who visited the affected communities.
The survivors recount a nightmarish sequence of events. As Muslims gathered to celebrate Maulud, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, the military initiated the first round of bombings around 10 pm. Saudatu Alamagani, a 45-year-old survivor, described the chaos as the military "started raining bombs" on the unsuspecting worshippers. Initially mistaking the attackers for bandits, the community fled for safety, only to witness the horrifying aftermath with bodies strewn everywhere.
To compound the tragedy, Alamagani revealed that, while attempting to secure transportation for critically injured victims, the military struck again. "They bombed us twice," she exclaimed, detailing the loss of four family members and pleading for government assistance to ease the suffering of the affected families.
Sulaiman Umar, a 60-year-old survivor, echoed the sentiment of a double bombing, explaining, "We could hardly identify our children, some with their intestines out. After the first round of bombs, they came back to bomb us again." Umar sought refuge in a deep forest until daybreak, where survivors covered the deceased with leaves, separating them by gender.
As the nation mourns, prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, express condolences. Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Jama’tu Nasril Islam condemn the incident, calling for accountability and punishment for those found responsible.
Amnesty International's Country Director, Isah Sanusi, provided a grim update, confirming over 120 casualties. He emphasized that the actual figure surpasses NEMA's estimate, with at least 77 bodies interred in each mass grave. The survivors' accounts serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of unintended military actions and underscore the urgent need for thorough investigations and accountability in the aftermath of such tragic events.
