In a tragic incident, at least 85 civilians lost their lives in north-west Kaduna State, Nigeria, due to an accidental drone strike by the Nigerian army, marking one of the deadliest military bombing accidents in the country.

Following the acknowledgment by the army that one of its drones inadvertently targeted Tudun Biri village during a Muslim festival celebration on Sunday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered an investigation into the matter.

While the army did not provide specific casualty figures, local residents reported that 85 individuals, including many women and children, were among the casualties.

The Northwest Zonal Office of the national emergency management agency (NEMA) revealed that 85 bodies had been buried, with an ongoing search for more victims. Additionally, 66 people were receiving medical treatment, and efforts were underway to ease tensions and facilitate access to the affected village.

Describing the incident as unfortunate and painful, President Tinubu expressed grief and indignation over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives. The country's armed forces frequently employ airstrikes in their efforts against bandit militias in the north-west and north-east regions, where a decade-long conflict with jihadists has been ongoing