Nigerian president calls for probe after army mistakenly killed 85 villagers

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu ordered a thorough investigation into the incident in which 85 villagers were killed when the army accidentally bombed civilians who had gathered for a religious celebration in northwestern Kaduna state using drones meant to target rebels.

The incident occurred in Kurmin Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area on Sunday.

Tinubu called for calm while authorities look diligently into the mishap.

A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, spokesman for the president, described the incident as “very unfortunate,” and “painful.”

The president has also directed swift and comprehensive medical attention to surviving victims.

Also, The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Tuesday that, based on information from local authorities, 85 dead bodies have been buried so far, and the search is still ongoing.

According to the emergency agency, 53 seriously injured are in hospitals, receiving treatment.

The incident is the second such incident in recent years. In January 2017, a Nigerian Air Force jet mistakenly bombed a camp for displaced victims of terrorism in a remote community along the country's border with Cameroon.