2 Nigerian military personnel are set to undergo a court martial following their involvement in a drone attack that resulted in the death of 85 villagers in December. The incident occurred in the conflict-ridden north of the West African country.
The Defense Headquarters spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba announced that the personnel would face military justice proceedings for their actions, which led to civilian casualties. It was revealed that the civilians killed in the strike were mistaken for terrorists.
Nigeria’s Ongoing Struggle Against Extremist Violence
Nigeria’s military has been grappling with extremist violence and rebel attacks in the northern region for over a decade. Air raids are frequently conducted as part of efforts to combat these threats.
However, civilian casualties have been a recurring issue, with accidental strikes claiming the lives of around 400 civilians since 2017, according to a report by the Lagos-based SBM Intelligence security firm.
Tragic Incident During Religious Observance
The tragic misfire occurred in Kaduna state’s Tudun Biri village during a Muslim holiday commemorating the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday in December. The timing of the attack exacerbated the severity of the incident, further highlighting the need for accountability and justice for the victims.
Human Rights Watch has called for greater transparency from Nigerian military authorities regarding their investigation into the incident. Anietie Ewang, a Nigerian researcher with the organization, highlighted the importance of compensating the victims and implementing measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack, stating that such errors are unacceptable and must not be repeated.
Concerns Over Drone Use
The proliferation of drones within Nigerian security agencies has raised concerns about the lack of clear guidelines governing their use. Kabir Adamu, a security analyst based in Abuja, highlighted the need for stricter protocols to ensure the protection of non-combatants during military operations.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba assured that in the future, the military would take extra precautions to prevent civilian casualties.
As Nigeria grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, there is a growing demand for accountability, justice, and reforms within the nation’s military operations.
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