The recent drone strike in Tudun Biri village, Kaduna state, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 85 civilians, demands a critical examination of the Nigerian military approach to counter-terrorism efforts.
By Shalom Kasim
The collateral damage inflicted upon a gathering of civilians who were merely celebrating a religious occasion raises questions about the very essence of precision in military operations. This so-called ‘mishap’ forces us to confront the unsettling reality that the line between combatants and non-combatants is becoming increasingly blurred by the day, right in the open eyes of those who have sworn to protect out territorial integrity.
Even in the midst of the quest for the victims’ justice and the government attempts at different investigations, another question arises to be asked: if the military couldn’t watch the projection of their armaments accurately, how should we trust that those charged with this investigation will not in return slap our faces with an inaccurate, insulting feedback?
In retrospect, the incident in Tudun Biri is not an isolated case; it’s part of a disturbing pattern that stretches back to documented instances of errant bombings between 2014 and 2022.
Rebel attacks by bandits have not only ravaged northwestern Nigeria, but have also forced the military to frequently employ aerial bombardment to target these armed groups. However, the unintended consequences of these actions have been catastrophic, with villagers often caught in the crossfire.
The loss of innocent lives has not only sparked outrage among local citizens but has also drawn international attention, with human rights abuses by Nigerian security forces under scrutiny.
Reports of targeted killings of children and the forced abortions in the north which often was a result of the catastrophe have also raised concerns among Western allies, prompting calls to reevaluate arms assistance to Nigeria.
Hence, it is imperative to question the military’s adherence to human rights standards and the adequacy of measures taken to prevent civilian casualties. The military is not so dull, and the assertion that the drone operation was a routine mission leads us to question the need for a comprehensive reassessment of military strategies, ensuring they prioritize the safety of civilians in the middle of their “strive to protect them”.
Just as none is supposed to be exempted from the operational ruckus of the State, the Nigerian government is enjoined to address not only the immediate repercussions but also work towards establishing a robust framework that will prevent the recurrence of such tragic events.
Amidst the taunting actions of those at the elms of power in this country, our silence has almost graffitied us as mere complacent fools; yet we’re just civilians whose would rather seek succour in the Divine than trust in those who have utterly failed us. Isn’t it provoking that, even in spite of this, the military who are expected to kill our killers come back to kill us?
For the fact that I grew up in a village, and still live in a village, I am not sure that the military won’t come for me one day. We are only innocent civilians waving white flags;we are sorry if it looks like bags of gunpowder.
