Kaduna drone mishap: Military must review rules of engagement, standard operating procedures
An accidental bombing of Tudun Biri village in Igabi local Government Area, (LGA) Kaduna state by the Nigerian Army, Sunday night, has attracted major concerns. The ugly development left much controversy..
Undisclosed scores of persons have been confirmed dead with dozens injured, following the bombardment which has been described as accidental and erroneous. While the Nigerian Air Force denied its involvement, later confirmation from official sources established the fact of the event. The Nigerian Army later owned up responsibility.
The Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan In a press statement that trailed the development personally signed and made available to Journalists in Kaduna on Monday had said the incident happened on Sunday night, while the Army was in a routine mission against terrorists in the area. He further stressed that search-and-rescue efforts are still ongoing, as dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the government. According to him, the General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.
On a later development, amidst more knocks trailing the Sunday night military accidental bombardment, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja paid a condolence visit to the community, tendering apologies. The Army Chief arrived the community in the early hours of Tuesday, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, where he met with the Dangaladima Zazau, the District Head of Rigasa, Architect Aminu Idris, other leaders and members of the community.
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu had explained, “The COAS in an emotion-laden speech expressed regrets on the unfortunate mishap, describing it as a very disheartening occurrence. Speaking further, Gen Lagbaja noted that in the recent past, the general area of Tudun Biri and adjoining villages were infested with armed bandits, who terrorised the communities, until troops of the Nigerian Army started conducting operations to sanitize the area and make it habitable. He pointed out, that the troops were carrying out aeriel patrols when they observed a group of people and wrongly analyzed and misinterpreted their pattern of activities to be similar to that of the bandits, before the drone strike. The COAS stated that he was in Tudun Biri to personally witness the site of the mishap and to convey sincere regrets and unreserved apologies on behalf of the Nigerian Army to the District Head and people of the community, as well as the Government and entire people of Kaduna State.”
Describing the incident as “disturbing,” President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation Tuesday after the Army acknowledged one of its drones mistakenly struck the village of Tudun Biri as residents celebrated a Muslim festival.
Knocks have continued to trail the mishap. For instance, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, expressed concerns over the number of accidental Nigerian military air strikes which have killed dozens of civilians and left several others injured. Atiku, who was the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, in a post on his X handle, on Tuesday described the latest miscalculated military drone attack as tragic.
”I am grieved by the news of the drone airstrike that killed dozens of people and left scores of others with various degrees of injury in the Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Ironically, the victims of this unfortunate incident were celebrating the Maulud anniversary. The incidence of miscalculated air strikes is assuming a worrisome dimension in the country.
“I call on the authorities to launch a thorough investigation into this tragedy to avert future occurrences.
“Meanwhile, no resource should be spared in medical attention to the injured and assistance to the families of the dead. I pray that the Almighty Allah comforts the bereaved families and grants the dead eternal peace,” he had submitted.
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi had described the bombing of Tudun Biri Villagers by the Nigerian Army as regrettable. Obi in his assertion in a statement via his official X handle on Tuesday, said the incident is an embarrassment for the Nigerian Army and the country. Obi had said any incident that leads to harm or the loss of lives of the innocent people they are meant to protect should be avoided.
He stated, “I read with sadness, the devastating reports of the accidental bombing of Tudun Biri Village in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, by a Nigerian Army craft that mistook the villagers for terrorists.
“The lethal incident left death tolls reported to have risen to 80, with several others injured. While our military continues to fight impressively against insecurity in many parts of the country, they must exercise utmost caution and professionalism to avoid this kind of embarrassment to both the military and the country.
“Fatal mistakes like this leave indelible trauma on the families who have lost their loved ones to this ugly and unfortunate mishap. I sincerely commiserate with families that lost their loved ones.
“It is regrettable that the problem of insecurity in our nation has persisted for so long that we are now paying such unintended human costs as collateral damage.”
The United Nations also deplored the incident. The UN human rights office said it deplored the attack, noting that it was the latest of at least four airstrikes that have resulted in significant civilian fatalities since 2017.
“While we note that the authorities have termed the civilian deaths as accidental, we call on them to take all feasible steps in future to ensure civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected,” said UN Human Rights Office spokesperson, Seif Magango said in a statement.
The UN added that, “We are particularly alarmed by reports that the strike was based on the ‘pattern of activities’ of those at the scene which was wrongly analysed and misinterpreted. There are serious concerns as to whether so-called ‘pattern of life’ strikes sufficiently comply with international law.
“We urge the Nigerian authorities to thoroughly and impartially investigate all alleged violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, including deaths and injuries from air force strikes, and hold those found responsible to account.
“The government should also provide victims of any unlawful strikes and their families with adequate reparations.”
While it is known that bandits have long terrorised parts of Northwest Nigeria, operating from bases deep in forests and raiding villages to loot and kidnap residents for ransom, it is no doubt that military efforts to combat the terror is not negotiable. However, such efforts must not be unguided and carried out without intelligence.
It is known that Nigeria’s Armed Forces often rely on airstrikes in their battle against bandit militias in the Northwest and Northeast of the country, where jihadists have been fighting for more than a decade. As noted, it is important the Armed Forces review rules of engagement and standard operating procedures to ensure that such incidents do not repeat itself. It is pertinent that security agencies begin to work with reliable human intelligence reports on the ground before any offensive attack to avoid innocent casualties, as the case was in Kaduna.
Also important is the need to develop counterinsurgency strategies that will insulate the civilian population from tragic incidents of this nature. Acting on intelligence is important for the military to exercise utmost caution and professionalism to avoid this kind of mishap.
