Army Bombing of Civilians: I LOST 34 FAMILY MEMBERS

Anger is brewing amidst calls for a probe and efforts to stem tension as more details unfolded on last Sunday’s Nigerian Army bombing of villagers who were celebrating Eid-el-Maolud but mistaken for bandits in the Tudun Biri community of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

While expressing their sympathy for the relations of those killed in the bombing described as one of the most deadly attacks on civilian targets since the military began bombing inside the country in the war against terrorists and bandits, President Bola Tinubu and his main opponent in the 2023 election Atiku Abubakar called for a thorough probing of the incident.

85 Confirmed Killed So far

The National Emergency Agency, NEMA said on Tuesday that it has so far confirmed that 85 villagers were killed while 66 others were injured in the airstrike. A spokesperson for NEMA in the North-West said the figures were obtained from leaders of the Tudun Biri community after the burial of the victims of the air strike on Monday.

The NEMA official, however, added that searches are still ongoing in the community for likely victims.

How I lost 34 of my family members in the bombing

Idris Dahiru, a resident of Tudun to BBC Hausa Service that 34 of his family members were among those killed in the drone airstrike mishap.

“Our annual Maolud celebration was shattered by unexpected airstrikes. The first bomb exploded without warning, killing innocent people, including women and children, some victims were torn apart by the blast,” Dahiru said.

“As we rushed to aid the injured, the jet returned, unleashing a second bomb, this time, many of those who had come to help were among the casualties. My family alone has lost 34 members in this tragedy. We have 66 loved ones receiving medical care at Barau Dikko Hospital,” he concluded.

Terrorists Hid Among Maolud Celebrants

However, while accepting responsibility and regretting the action, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ)  said in a statement on Tuesday morning that it was deceived by terrorists who were embedded with villagers celebrating the Maolud.

According to Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, the airstrikes were targeted at terrorists after the drone observed their movement at Ligarma, an area reputed as a den of terrorists.

“It should be noted that terrorists often deliberately embed themselves within civilian population centres for the civilian population to bear the consequences of their atrocities. Nevertheless, the Nigerian military does its best at all times to distinguish between civilians and terrorists. The military views every civilian death in the cause of operations as a tragedy as such tragedies are needless and unwanted, which causes the armed forces to take extensive measures to avoid them. For instance, communities are to always alert troops of their activities particularly when such a community is known to be infested with terrorists and their sympathisers.

“These instructions are intended at enabling the military to distinguish between friendly and untoward activities.”

Tinubu, Atiku: Incident Must Be Thoroughly Probed

Despite the attempted subtle justification, President Bola Tinubu in a statement on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the bombing of the civilians.

The President, in a statement by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale described the bombing of the civilians as very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful, expressing indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives.

While condoling with the families of the victims, the President said,  “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.”

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State also ordered a full investigation into the airstrike incident in a statement issued to condole with the people of the Tudun Biri community. He added that his administration was determined to prevent a repeat of the incident.

The governor also directed immediate evacuation of the injured to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for emergency medical attention where the state government would be responsible for their treatment and related logistics.

He urged the people of the community to be calm and continue to support the security forces and the state government in the battle against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.

In the same vein, Atiku called for a “thorough investigation” into the incident while sympathizing with the people of the Kaduna community.

“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 Maolud anniversary,” Atiku, wrote on his X account Tuesday.

The former vice president further noted that the incidence of miscalculated airstrikes is assuming a worrisome dimension in the country and that there is a need for the military to develop counterinsurgency strategies that will insulate the civilian population from such tragic incidents.

“I call on the authorities to launch a thorough investigation into this tragedy to avert future occurrences,” he said.

Lagbaja Visits Community, Tenders Apology

In reaction to such calls, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja promised on Tuesday that the incident would be investigated and efforts would be made to avoid a repeat. “My assessment of that unfortunate incident of Sunday, December 3, 2023, is that it is grave, regrettable. We will do everything possible to prevent such an occurrence from happening again in the conduct of our operations going forward,” he said.

Lagbaja spoke after he visited the community and interacted with their leaders and some of those injured in the airstrike mishap in the hospital where they are being treated.

He visited the community in the company of principal staff officers from the army headquarters and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division. He also interacted with the Dangaladima Zazzau, the District Head of Rigasa, Architect Aminu Idris, other leaders and members of the community.

The Army chief said he was in Tudun Biri to see the site of the mishap. He added that the visit was also to convey sincere regrets and unreserved apologies on behalf of the Nigerian Army to the District Head, people of the community, as well as the government, and the entire people of Kaduna State.

He said he has ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident to ascertain and identify what led to the inadvertent disaster.

The Army chief said the outcome of the probe will aid the military in identifying lapses and deficiencies in both the human and artificial intelligence variables and will help to forestall future recurrence.

“I have gone round to visit and interact with the members of the community. I have come again to the hospital to see the injured. This will help me to know the level of expertise I need to put on the table in conducting the inquiry into what happened,” Lagbaja told journalists.