By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday disclosed that investigations into a drone attack at Tudun Biri, a community in Igabi Local Government of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria, has been concluded, and that “two” culpable personnel will be court-martialed for acts of “omission or commission”.
While the DHQ did not disclose full details of the outcome of the investigation to journalists, it at least admitted that the drone strike which was carried out on December 3, 2023, was a “mistake”.
Briefing newsmen on Thursday at the DHQ, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations said the investigation as ordered by President Bola Tinubu was “thorough”.
“Accordingly, the affected personnel are to face a court martial for acts of omission or commission with respect to the incident.
“I’m however constrained to speak much about the incident as it would be adjudged as prejudicial being a case before court martial.
“However, it must be made clear that the incident was a mistake, as the victims of the strike were mistaken for terrorists,” Gen Buba said.
General Buba added that the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria consoles with the families and loved ones of all those killed by the sad air strike. “It is hoped that there would be no repeat of strikes on non-combatants in ongoing operations. The military will take extra precautions in the future to ensure that noncombatants are safe”.
Presidential Order For Investigation
Heritage Times HT recalls that President Tinubu ordered an investigation into the military drone strike that killed 85 civilians (according to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA). Amnesty International’s Nigeria office put its own casualty figure at 120 people, citing reports of its workers and volunteers in the area.
A statement released two days after the mishap on December 5, 2023 by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, quoted Tinubu as saying that the “bombing mishap” was worrying and “painful”.
The victims, mostly women and children, had gathered for a religious celebration over the weekend.
Denial
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had issued a statement saying it did not authorize or carry out any operations in Kaduna at the time, but that it is not the only one “operating combat armed drones” in the troubled northern region of Nigeria.
Head of the Nigerian Army Division in charge of operations in Kaduna State was quoted by the State Government as saying during a security meeting that the drone operation was a routine one.
One Too Many Occurrences
Within the last 10 years, there has been at least 14 documented incidences of such bombings in residential areas with civilian casualties.
Earlier in February this year, two members of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee called on the President Joe Biden administration to halt $1bn in arms assistance for Nigeria following reports of such mishaps.
