NEWS
Kaduna On Edge After Army’s Fatal Bombing Error Kills Over 50
On Sunday night, the Nigerian Army mistakenly targeted Kurmin Biri village in Kaduna State, believing it was a bandits’ camp, resulting in the bombing of a Maulud event.
Tragically, this incident led to the loss of at least 50 lives among the villagers.
Additionally, 53 individuals sustained severe injuries and are currently hospitalized, undergoing treatment.
However, one survivor mentioned that the casualties might exceed 100.
Reports indicate that as the attendees attempted to aid the injured and transport them to a nearby health facility while also preparing for burials, another bomb was dropped by the returning aircraft, inflicting additional damage on the village.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has denied involvement in the bombing of the village, distancing itself from the incident.
Following the tragic event, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has instructed a comprehensive investigation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In response, an emergency security meeting was convened by the governor, attended by representatives from various bodies including the Nigerian Army, the Commissioner of Police, Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chairman of Jama’atul Nasril-Islam (JNI), Kaduna State chapter.
Moreover, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has conveyed their sorrow regarding the distressing situation.
In the meantime, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has labeled the incident as a sorrowful occurrence and urged for a comprehensive investigation into what they termed as an ‘avoidable mistake.’
Meanwhile, Major-General V. Okoro, the General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, provided a briefing to the Kaduna State Government.
He stated that the Nigerian Army was engaged in a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently targeted and affected members of the Kurmin Biri village in Kaduna State.
According to a resident from the affected community, while Muslims were observing the Maulud event at Tudun Biri village in Igabi LGA of the state, a plane flying above the celebrants dropped a bomb that exploded, resulting in the loss of many lives.
According to him,”While we were picking the dead and trying to rush the injured to a nearby health facility, the plane returned and dropped a second bomb, causing further damage.”
Another local in the village said “We were celebrating Maulud when the jet dropped the bomb, resulting in the immediate death of more than 50 people.”
Samuel Aruwan, overseeing the Commissioner for the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, discussed the possibility of compensating the victims during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.
He highlighted that only the military authorities possess the necessary information regarding their intelligence gathering before the tragic incident.
In a statement issued on Monday, Aruwan acknowledged the Kaduna State Government’s reception of briefings concerning the attack that led to the loss of several lives and injuries to others on Sunday night.
The statement reads “The Kaduna State Government has received briefings on Sunday night’s attack which left several citizens dead and others injured.
“In a meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, which had in attendance heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, the Nigerian Army explained the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack.
“The General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major V. Okoro, explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.
“The Deputy Governor at the end of the meeting, conveyed the condolences of the government and people of Kaduna State to the families that lost their loved ones, and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.
“As of the time of this update, search-and-rescue efforts are still ongoing, as dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the government.
“Heads of security agencies, who attended the meeting include the Commissioner of Police, M.Y. Garba, and Director of DSS, Abdul Eneche. Chairman of Kaduna State Chapter of JNI, Prof. Shafi’u Abdullahi, led other religious leaders. Also present at meeting was the District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris in whose domain the incident occurred,” he added.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has criticized the federal government’s plan to secure an additional N1.7 trillion loan through Eurobonds to cover a shortfall in the 2024 budget, describing the borrowing as unsustainable and harmful to Nigeria’s economy.
In a statement shared on Thursday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of burdening Nigerians with debt while failing to provide clear answers about the country’s fiscal challenges.
READ ALSO: CSR: Dangote Cement Fuels Education With Support Projects At Lagos Schools
He also faulted the National Assembly for enabling what he called a “voracious appetite” for loans.
The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed alarm over a recent World Bank report ranking Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), calling the development troubling.
“The recent report released by the World Bank, showing Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), is very concerning,” Atiku stated.
He raised further concerns about the government’s decision to benchmark the proposed loan at an exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate being over N1,600.
“What makes this particular loan proposal even more concerning is that it is benchmarked at the exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, whereas the current exchange rate from the Central Bank of Nigeria stands at over N1,600 to 1 USD,” he said.
Atiku questioned the need for additional borrowing, given the government’s earlier claims of record-high revenue collection.
“In July this year, Tinubu boasted that the FIRS and Customs under his watch had collected all-time high revenues to finance the budget. Why are they still borrowing?” he said
He accused the government of a lack of transparency, describing the borrowing spree as detrimental to Nigerians already struggling under economic hardship.
“There is something that they are not telling Nigerians, even as they are being crushed by a combination of their failed trial-and-error policies and loan rackets.”
Atiku also referenced a report by BudgIT, a budget monitoring group, which criticized the 2024 budget for its inefficiencies.
He alleged that corruption, rather than infrastructure or development needs, was driving the government’s borrowing decisions.
“These loans are powered by corruption and not for infrastructure and development needs. This voracious appetite for humongous loans is deeply concerning,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s financial history, Atiku lamented the return to significant foreign indebtedness just years after former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration cleared the country’s debt.
“It is agonizing to see that just a few years after the Obasanjo administration took us out of foreign indebtedness, we are today back at the top spot in the same conundrum,” he stated.
He called for a more cautious approach to borrowing, urging the government to prioritize fiscal responsibility and transparency to avoid worsening Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.
In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”
READ MORE: Osun Govt Decries Attempted Murder Of Park Mgt Chairman By Police
The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.
The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has inaugurated a 12-member committee tasked with recovering government vehicles reportedly in private hands.
The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has been given a two-week mandate to retrieve the vehicles and ensure their return to the state government.
READ ALSO: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of accountability in the management of public resources.
He urged the committee to carry out its assignment thoroughly and within the bounds of the law.
In his response, Okungbowa expressed gratitude to the governor for entrusting the team with the assignment, vowing to deliver results within the stipulated timeframe.
“A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing, as those in custody of the vehicles have refused to return them,” Okungbowa said.
“The governor deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands.”
The committee, which includes representatives from Edo’s three senatorial districts, is set to investigate and recover the vehicles based on credible intelligence already at their disposal.
“We already have vital information regarding some persons still holding government vehicles,” Okungbowa stated. “We will do the job according to the law, and both the government and the people will be satisfied with the outcome.”
He also called on members of the public to assist the committee by providing information about any government vehicles that may still be in private possession.
“We want to appeal to members of the public who might be aware of anyone still keeping government vehicles in their houses to please inform us to enable the committee to recover such for the Edo State Government,” Okungbowa said.
The committee’s vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, will work alongside other members to ensure the success of the initiative. The public can reach the committee at 08110165121.
Olajumoke Onibread Accuses Ex-Husband Of Assault, Career Sabotage
N1.7trn Loan: Atiku Blames NASS For Worsening Nigeria’s Debt Burden
Musa Joins Jaiz Bank As Ambassador
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others
Fans Celebrate Davido As Nigerian Superstar Turns 32
CSR: Dangote Cement Fuels Education With Support Projects At Lagos Schools
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
