Last week, a tragic incident in Kaduna once again cast a spotlight on the devastating consequences of erroneous military bombings, further escalating the toll of innocent lives lost to over 400 within the past six years.
A recent report published in February 2023 by SBM Intelligence, a reputable research organization, revealed that the Nigerian military has mistakenly taken the lives of over 300 innocent civilians between January 2017 and January 2023. These misfiring incidents predominantly occurred in the Northern regions of the country, where the activities of Boko Haram, Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), insurgents, and bandits continue to sow chaos and despair.
Reflecting on the past, there were several poignant incidents that serve as somber reminders of the human cost of these errors.
In the northeastern state of Borno, a Nigerian Air Force Jet tragically bombed an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp near the border with Cameroon in January 2017, claiming the lives of approximately 115 innocent Nigerians. Subsequently, in 2020, at least 17 women were reportedly killed in Sakotoku village, Damboa Local Government Area, in another misdirected attack by the Nigerian Air Force.
Tragedy struck again in April 2021, when an Air Force jet missed its target in Mainok, Borno State, inadvertently leading to the deaths of at least 30 soldiers who were mobilizing to confront the insurgents in the area.
Moving to Niger State, an offensive aerial bombardment by the NAF Alpha resulted in the deaths of wedding guests around Genu town in June 2021. This was followed by another heart-wrenching incident on March 3, when a NAF jet reportedly claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals in Kuregba, Shiroro Local Government Area.
The state of Zamfara was not spared from these tragic errors, as a Nigerian Air Force airstrike mistakenly took the lives of a woman and her four children in Suburb Forest in July 2021. Subsequently, in December 2022, an airstrike in Mutumji community, Maru Local Government Area, tragically claimed the lives of approximately 64 individuals.
In Yobe State, approximately 10 villagers lost their lives in September 2021 after a military jet mistakenly bombed a village in the Yunusari Local Government Area.
More recently, on January 7, 2023, the Nigerian Air Force was responsible for a deadly airstrike on Kwatiri, a rural community in Nasarawa State, resulting in the deaths of about 39 unsuspecting citizens.
The most recent and devastating incident occurred in Kaduna State on December 3, where a drone strike by the Nigerian Army tragically claimed the lives of numerous residents who were celebrating an Islamic festival in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area. While reports from the Nigeria National Emergency Management Agency placed the death toll at 85, emerging accounts suggest that the casualties have surpassed 120. The tragic magnitude of this incident was emphasized by Senator Shehu Sani, a prominent figure in Kaduna State, who estimated that approximately 150 lives were lost.
In the wake of this distressing reality, an Islamic cleric in Kaduna, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, raised compelling questions, expressing skepticism about the military’s claim that the incident was a mistake. He drew attention to similar unreported incidents in remote villages, compelling a reconsideration of the reliance on warfare as the primary solution to these complex challenges.
Reacting to these events, the National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Onwubiko, aptly termed these tragedies as “one accidental bombing too many.” The call for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into these incidents, to uncover the root causes and prevent future occurrences, reverberates with urgency and necessity.
In response to this catastrophic loss of life, Vice President Kashim Shettima revealed plans by the Federal Government to initiate the rebuilding of Tudun Biri village, which bore the brunt of the military misfire. This wholesome initiative, directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, encompasses a comprehensive package that includes the construction of houses, clinics, schools, veterinary clinics, empowerment initiatives, and the implementation of solar energy, offering a semblance of compensation and a pathway to healing for the affected community.
As these tragedies continue to unfold, poignant questions emerge about the effectiveness of military engagements and the urgent need for a shift towards peaceful negotiations to protect the lives of innocent civilians. The indelible scars left by these errors serve as a stark call to action, necessitating unwavering commitment to prevent future occurrences and provide meaningful redress to the impacted communities.
