The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has refuted the report that its aircraft reportedly killed some innocent persons at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to the report the incident is said to have occurred around 9pm on Sunday, when villagers gathered for the Maulud celebration.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet in a press statement said "The news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft accidentally killed innocent civilians in Kaduna is false.
"Please be informed that the NAF has not carried out any air operations within Kaduna State and its environs in the last 24 hours. Also, note that the NAF is not the only organization operating combat-armed drones in the Northwestern region of Nigeria.
"It is also important to ensure that due diligence is always exhausted by the media before going to the press with unverified and unconfirmed reports," Gabkwet stated
A source in the community told our correspondent that the villagers were mistakenly bombed in the air strike with the intention that they were bandits who were migrating from neighbouring Zamfara State to camp in Tudun Biri village.
The source further stated that the incident has created panic within the area as many residents have fled from the community to neighbouring villages for fear of being caught in more bomb attacks.
Following the incident, an emergency security meeting was convened by the Kaduna State government.
The meeting which is being chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has in attendance the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.
Also in attendance are the Garrison Commander of the One Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and the overseer of Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.