Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has refuted claims that 127 people lost their lives in the recent airstrike that occurred in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of the state, on Sunday.
News About Nigeria gathered that the governor made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, dismissing the claim that 127 lives were lost in the incident.
According to him, the death toll from the unfortunate incident just increased to 87 on Thursday when one person died in one of the hospitals taking care of the survivors.
He maintained that as the only person who has direct contact with the families, including the victims, those receiving treatments in the hospital, and the displaced persons, among others, he was in the best position to know the number of victims that have been lost.
He added that it was his responsibility as someone who has been elected to protect the lives and properties of the citizens.
He further noted that according to the figures that have been confirmed by the community and families visited directly, the death to date is 87.
He said 86 people were killed by a direct hit during the airstrike, and one person, out of the 76 survivors that were taken to the hospital, died. He also added that four survivors were currently undergoing surgeries.
He assured Nigerians that the survivors are in good hands as the personnel taking care of them are professionals, noting that the government will pay the bills of all victims.
However, an Imam in Tubun Biri, Alhaji Ahmed Sanusi, stated that no fewer than 100 people were buried on Monday, while 20 more bodies were recovered by the search team and buried on Tuesday.
According to him, six more bodies were recovered and buried, while another person died at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, bringing the death toll to 127.