The recent drone airstrike in Tudun-Biri, Nigeria, has sparked outrage and calls for investigation and compensation from prominent figures, amplifying the urgent need for accountability and adherence to humanitarian principles in military operations.
The tragic incident resulted in the loss of many innocent lives, predominantly women and children, with scores injured. The Nigerian Army, while acknowledging responsibility for the attack, described it as ‘inadvertent.’ However, the lack of transparency regarding casualty figures and the circumstances surrounding the operation has fueled widespread concern and disbelief.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) expressed profound shock and distress, emphasizing the necessity for a thorough probe and compensation for the victims. Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, highlighted the alarming nature of the operation, particularly its execution in a densely populated area. The forum condemned the apparent failure of intelligence that led to such a devastating tragedy, underscoring the pivotal role of sound intelligence in military operations and urging the authorities to provide comprehensive details to address public skepticism.
Furthermore, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, joined the chorus of demands for a rigorous investigation into the drone airstrike. He stressed the imperative of allocating substantial resources for medical care for the injured and support for the families of the deceased, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to prevent future occurrences.
In a similar vein, Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, called for the military to exercise utmost caution and professionalism in future campaigns, emphasizing the need to prioritize reliable human intelligence reports to avert harm to innocent civilians.
The prevailing sentiment among these prominent figures is a resounding call for accountability, meticulous intelligence gathering, and the strict adherence to humanitarian principles in military operations. The need to minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage is paramount and non-negotiable in any military campaign, resonating with the fundamental principles of military necessity, humanity, proportionality, and distinction.
It is evident that the tragic events in Tudun-Biri reflect a critical juncture for Nigeria, where the buy-in of its citizens is imperative in the fight against all forms of criminality. The military’s actions must align with global standards of conduct and uphold the sanctity of civilian lives, as the nation grapples with persistent security challenges.
As the echoes of sorrow reverberate across the affected community and the nation at large, there is a collective prayer and plea for such grievous mistakes to never recur. The Nigerian military, as the vanguard of national security, must embrace the solemn duty of safeguarding its citizens with the utmost care and diligence, ensuring that tragedies like the one in Tudun-Biri become aberrations of the past, not harbingers of the future.
