Two personnel of the Nigerian Army will face a court-martial over the bombing incident at Tudun Biri in Kaduna State, which killed dozens last December, the military said Thursday.
The incident, which involved a military drone strike, resulted in the deaths of at least 85 civilians.
The attack, only the latest in a series of deadly attacks on civilians the Nigerian military later claimed were in error, sparked outrage with President Bola Tinubu ordering an investigation.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, said the inquiry had concluded and two personnel were indicted.
“The military has conducted a painstaking investigation into the incident and has initiated disciplinary action against those culpable,” he said at a press briefing, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“Accordingly, the affected personnel are to face a court martial for acts of omission or commission with respect to the incident.”
He said, however, that the military could not provide more details on the findings as that would be deemed prejudicial.
Kaduna Bombing
Amnesty International said 120 people died in the December 3 drone strike at Tudun Biri in Kaduna State. The victims were residents who gathered to celebrate the Maulud.
The military acknowledged responsibility for the attack but said it was a tragic mistake.
The December 3 bombing in Tudun Biri, Kaduna state, marked another tragic incident in a string of civilian casualties caused by Nigerian military operations.
Since February 2014, when a mistaken airstrike hit Daglun in Borno state, at least 14 similar bombings have occurred in residential areas, claiming innocent lives.
This latest incident has sparked outrage among Nigerians and reignited concerns about human rights abuses by security forces. These issues have already strained relations with Western allies, including the United States.
The military said it will take extra precautions in the future to ensure that non-combatants are safe.
Editor’s Note: The number of army personnel indicted is two, not 12, as this post earlier stated.
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