Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Mohammed Bello, Matawallen Maradun, has said that the Army’s bombing error at Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which led to the death of no fewer than 100 persons will not affect the war against banditry and terrorism.
The army had mistaken the villagers for bandits.
Bello spoke during a condolence visit to the victims in Kaduna, while leading a high-level Federal Government delegation, which included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, among others.
The minister spoke as death toll of the bombing error rose to 127 with the United Nations deploring the sad incident.
Expressing Federal Governments’ condolences to the victims of the mishap, Matawalle said that despite the unfortunate incident, the fight against insurgency and terrorism must continue.
He said that President Bola Tinubu had directed that he lead a high-level delegation to pay a condolence visit to the good people and government of Kaduna State over the sad event as well as families of the victims, both those that died and the ones receiving treatment in hospitals.
The former Zamfara governor assured the state government that the Federal Government will do everything possible to support families of the victims and set up a powerful panel of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the incident to prevent future occurrence.