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The Defence Headquarters said, on Thursday, that two military personnel will face court martial for the December 3, 2023 accidental bombing on the Tudun Biri village of Kaduna State.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, revealed this during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Buba said the investigation launched into the incident had been concluded with two personnel indicted
The accidental bombing led to the death of at least 85 civilians with several injured.
The villagers were said to be celebrating Maulud, an Islamic festival, when the incident happened with the Army promptly owing up to the accidental bombing and describing it as highly regrettable.
President Bola Tinubu ordered a probe into the incident while the military promised that any personnel found culpable would be punished.
The DHQ, on December 8, instituted an eight-member panel to initiate an investigation into the incident.
Buba told The PUNCH in January that the panel comprised senior officers across the geopolitical zones of the country.
Giving an update at the Thursday press briefing in Abuja, the DHQ spokesman said, “I want to speak briefly about the incident in Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State as the investigation has been concluded.
“The military conducted a painstaking investigation into the accidental drone strike and has initiated disciplinary actions against troops that were indicted.
“Accordingly, the affected personnel are to face a court martial for acts of omission or commission with respect to the incident.”
Buba said the investigation report had been submitted to relevant authorities but refrained from providing further details.
“I am, however, constrained to speak much about the incident as it would be adjudged as prejudicial being a case before a court martial.
“However, it must be made clear that the incident was a mistake, as the victims of the strike were mistaken for terrorists.
“It is hoped that there would be no repeat of strikes on non-combatants in ongoing operations. The military will take extra precautions in the future to ensure that non-combatants are safe,” he added.
