Airstrike at Muslim Event Part of Nigeria’s Continued Loss of “innocent lives”: Archbishop

Abuja, 11 December, 2023 / 8:50 PM

The airstrike involving a military drone that reportedly killed 85 people and injured dozens in Nigeria’s Kaduna State, though “accidental”, is part of the West African nation’s continued loss of “innocent lives” despite the “expended huge resources”, the Catholic Archbishop of the country’s Abuja Archdiocese has said. 

In his homily at St. Francis Xavier Pastoral Area, Baron Goni in his Metropolitan See, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama weighed in on the December 3 incident in the village of Tudun Biri, Northern Kaduna State, when, according to the State’s Governor, Uba Sani, Muslims who were participating in Maulud celebrations “were mistakenly killed and many others injured following a military drone attack targeting terrorists and bandits".

“It is regrettable that innocent civilians gathered for a Muslim religious celebration of the Maulud were mistakenly shelled,” Archbishop Kaigama said on December 10.

He added, “The country has so far expended huge resources and yet the terrorists/bandits seem to increase their strategic aggression and appear hell-bent on destabilizing our country.”

While making efforts “to combat” the terrorists and bandits, the Catholic Archbishop said he finds it regrettable that “we lose lives of security agents in battle, as well as such sad loss of innocent lives as those of Tudun Biri.”

“We sincerely commiserate with the victims of the December 3 accidental airstrike of a gathering at Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, by the Nigerian Air Force,” he said, and appealed for prayers for the repose of the souls of the dead, and “speedy recovery” of the wounded.

The Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese since November 2019 further urged the parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Pastoral Area, Baron Goni to keep “the flag of faith flying” amid security challenges.

“It is good to learn that despite the poor security situation, the economic hardship, and other challenges, you remain resilient Catholics. Remain ever prepared to answer anyone who asks you for the faith that is you,” the Catholic Church leader said.