At least 85 civilians were killed and many others wounded by a military drone strike in northern Nigeria on Sunday night, Nigerian officials reported.

The attack took place in Tudun Biri village of Kaduna state’s Igabi council area, where Muslims had gathered to observe the holiday celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

The drone was reportedly targeting terrorists and bandits in the area, but mistakenly hit the civilians, Kaduna Governor Uba Sani said.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough and full-fledged investigation into the incident and called for calm while the authorities look diligently into the mishap, his spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement on Tuesday.

Tinubu described the bombing as worrying and painful, and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Kaduna state.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International’s Nigeria office said 120 people were killed in the attack, citing reports of its workers and volunteers in the area.

The human rights group urged the Nigerian government to ensure accountability and justice for the victims, and to take measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.

This is the latest in a series of errant drone strikes by the Nigerian military as it fights armed groups in northern Nigeria.

In January, a drone strike killed at least 10 civilians and injured 20 others in Damboa town of Borno state.

In December 2022, a drone strike killed seven children and wounded 16 others in a school in Gwoza town of Borno state. (ILKHA)