Two Nigerian soldiers face court over drone strike deaths

Lagos: Two Nigerian military officers face court martial after an investigation into an army drone strike that killed 85 civilians mistaken for militi...

Lagos: Two Nigerian military officers face court martial after an investigation into an army drone strike that killed 85 civilians mistaken for militia gunmen, the army said on Thursday.

The military already acknowledged the drone accidently struck Tudun Biri village in northwest Kaduna state in December killing residents as they celebrated a Muslim festival in one of the country's worst airstrike errors.

"The military has conducted a painstaking investigation into the incident and has initiated disciplinary action against those culpable," the statement said.

"Accordingly, the affected 2 personnel are to face a court martial for acts of omission or commission with respect to the incident."

The statement did not give further details about the two officials, their role in the accident or the proceedings.