The death toll from the unintentional bombing of Tudun Biri in Kaduna State’s Igabi Local Government Area has risen to 120, according to Amnesty International experts who visited the affected areas.
This comes as survivors of the Kaduna village bombing on Sunday night claim the Nigerian Army blasted them twice.
Chronicle NG reported on Monday an air strike intended to flush out terrorists had on Sunday night accidentally hit civilians during a Maulud Nabiy celebration at Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State.
Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isah Sanusi, claimed the organization’s workers were on the ground in the impacted towns and had tallied over 120 people killed in the explosion.
“According to our contact who was at the scene of the mass burial, there were at least 77 dead bodies in each of the mass graves. There also 17 other persons who are from adjoining villages who lost their lives in the ugly incident,” he stated.
While the Army claimed responsibility for the event, the National Emergency Management Agency estimated the death toll at 85 on Monday night, adding that 66 people were injured.
One of the bombing survivors who spoke to reporters described their experiences.
Saudatu Alamagani, 45, alleged that the community was bombed twice.
According to Alamagani, the event began about 10 p.m., when a significant number of Muslims celebrating Maulud, Muhammad’s birthday, were bombed.
She said while celebrating the Maulud, “The military started raining bombs on us’’, adding that at first, the worshippers mistook their attackers to be bandits.
“They bombed us twice,” she said, adding that “it all started around 10pm when the military started bombing our community. We were celebrating the Maulud, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
“While we were looking for motorcycles to convey those that critically needed medical attention to the hospital, the military returned with the bombardment. Many villagers including women, men, children, and even pregnant women were killed during the attack.
“Four members of my family were killed in the attack. Some of the bodies of the dead littered the ground.”
Saudatu appealed to both the Kaduna state government and the federal government to assist members of the community, especially victims’ families to cushion the effect of the bomb attack.
