According to local authorities, an army drone strike accidentally hit a community in northwestern Nigeria, killing dozens of civilians celebrating a Muslim festival.
Nigeria's armed forces frequently rely on air strikes in their fight against so-called bandit groups in the country's northwest and northeast, where jihadists have waged a 14-year insurgency.
The army did not offer details or a death toll for the strike in Tudun Biri village, Kaduna State, which occurred late Sunday, but villagers say dozens were killed and injured.
Did you read this?
Local authorities also reported fatalities.
"Muslim faithful observing Maulud were mistakenly killed and many others were injured following a military drone attack targeting terrorists and bandits," Kaduna State governor Uba Sani stated, calling for a probe.
He stated that around 60 individuals had been hurt and were being treated in hospitals. Following a meeting with army officials and community leaders, local state security commissioner Samuel Aruwan reported that dozens of wounded were brought to a teaching hospital in Kaduna.
He stated that the attack killed "several citizens and injured others," although he did not provide an exact figure.
It was a normal mission against insurgents that "inadvertently affected members of the community," according to the army.
Many of the casualties were women and children, according to Hassan Ma'aruf, a neighbor who shared photographs of the bodies.
Bandits, or militia bands, have long terrorized sections of northwest Nigeria, operating from camps deep in the bush and invading towns to pillage and kidnap residents for ransom.
Jihadists have been forced back from the area they held at the height of the battle in the northeast, yet they continue to fight.
