The Defence Headquarters announced on Thursday that two military personnel will be brought before a court martial for their involvement in the accidental bombing that occurred on December 3, 2023, in the Tudun Biri village of Kaduna State.
During a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed the conclusion of the investigation into the incident, which led to the indictment of the two personnel.
The accidental bombing resulted in the tragic death of at least 85 civilians, with many others sustaining injuries.
The villagers were reportedly celebrating the Islamic festival of Maulud when the unfortunate incident occurred. The Army took immediate responsibility for the accidental bombing, describing it as a deeply regrettable event.
After President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation into the bombing, the military assured that any personnel found responsible would face consequences.
On December 8, the DHQ established an eight-member panel to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident. Maj. Gen. Buba informed NewsNow in January that the panel consisted of senior officers representing various geopolitical zones in the country.
Providing an update during the press briefing in Abuja, Buba stated, “I would like to address the Tudun Biri village incident in Kaduna State, now that the investigation has been completed.
“Following a meticulous investigation into the accidental drone strike, the military has taken disciplinary action against the implicated troops.
“Consequently, the personnel involved will be facing a court martial for their actions or inactions related to the incident.”
While the investigation report has been submitted to the relevant authorities, Buba refrained from divulging additional details.
“I am unable to delve further into the matter as it might be deemed prejudicial, considering it is currently before a court martial.
“Nevertheless, it is essential to clarify that the incident was a mistake, as the victims of the strike were mistakenly identified as terrorists.
“Moving forward, we aim to prevent any future strikes on non-combatants during operations. The military will implement extra precautions to ensure the safety of non-combatant individuals,” he emphasized.