On December 3rd, the people of Tudun Biri community of Igabi local government, Kaduna State, witnessed one of the worst tragedies in their lives. They were celebrating Maulud when a military drone going after bandits dropped bombs and killed over 100 innocent people. When the unfortunate incident happened, the Nigeria’s Air Force (NAF), was accused of the dastardly operation which it denied. The Nigeria’s military later admitted responsible for what it described as accidental bombing. The killing of hundred innocent people was greeted with condemnations from all. Since the terrible bombing, there have been calls from different parts of the country for proper investigation. Nigeria’s military, until it was dragged into counter-terrorism war, had remained in barracks and defended our territorial boundaries whenever the need arises. Besides, it also carried out other international assignments with utmost professionalism. The emergence of Boko Haram insurgency in 2009 and the threat it posed to the country, the military was deployed to crush the insurgents and provide internal security.
The Nigeria’s army is not only waging war against Boko Haram insurgents, but also tackling the menace of banditry in the north-west and unknown gunmen in South-East. However, there are problems. The military is being blamed for human rights violation in the course of carrying out their assignments. They intimidate, maim and sometimes kill innocent people. Evidences abound. In 2017, Nigeria’s Air force bombed Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Rann, Borno State. The same Air force killed some Fulani herdsmen in Doma, Nasarawa State, who went to reclaim their cows seized by security guards in Benue State. Sadly, it took NAF five months to explain that the bombed victims were bandits. One can continue to count more atrocities committed against defenseless Nigerians by the military since it began the counter-terrorism war. No wonder, when the Tudun Biri tragedy happened, Nigerians quickly responded.
The military did not need to claim accidental discharge for their fatal killings. The so-called accidental bombings of civilians has occurred several times. The question begging for answer is: What did the military do to avert a reoccurrence? Unless those who operate the military jets or drones lack professionalism, they cannot keep dropping bombs at every gatherings in the name of killing terrorists. They have to be guided by intelligence and precision. There is no doubt, war against terrorists who resort to guerilla fighting in the midst of civilians would always cause collateral damage. The military needs to exercise extreme caution to minimize it.
Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State
