A mission by the Nigerian army aimed at countering terrorists resulting in the accidental deaths of at least 85 civilians during a Muslim festival. The incident occurred in the north-western village of Tudun Biri, located in the state of Kaduna, where residents had gathered for the Maulud celebration.
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The consequences of the drone strike have made outrage, grief, and calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this event.
On Sunday evening villagers in Tudun Biri were observing the Maulud celebration when the tranquility was shattered by what sounded like an approaching airplane.
This ominous sound was followed by an explosion, leaving the community in shock. Survivors described the horror, with one resident, Danjuma Salisu, recounting the situation where escape was nearly impossible.
Many victims, including women and children, suffered injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that after the initial strike, villagers, fearing additional attacks, fled the area.
The aftermath revealed a scene, response from both army officials and representatives of the Kaduna state government. The government has assured affected families that compensation will be provided.
The Nigerian army, in a statement, admitted to the accidental targeting of civilians during what was supposed to be a routine mission against terrorists. However, the statement lacked specific casualty figures and details about how the accident occurred.
President Bola Tinubu describing the event as very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful, ordered an investigation to uncover the circumstances leading to the civilian deaths.
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The Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, affirmed the commitment to preventing a recurrence of such incidents, assuring the public that protection would be prioritized in the ongoing fight against terrorism and criminal elements.
Idris Dahiru, a villager directly affected by the attack, shared an account of losing numerous family members.
His story had the impact on the community, with reports indicating that more than 60 injured individuals were receiving treatment in hospitals. Images circulated by residents showed the lifeless bodies of victims.
The national emergency management agency confirmed the burial of 85 bodies, with search efforts still ongoing. The victims, ranging from children to the elderly, underlined the nature of the drone strike.
Activists and human rights organizations have expressed concern over the incident, demanding a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.
Nigerian Army forces have been engaged in combating various security threats, including Boko Haram jihadists in the north-east and bandits in the north-west.
The north-western region has surpassed the north-east as the most conflict ridden area in Africa’s most populous country.
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While the motivations of the jihadists in the north-east are rooted in both religion and resources, those in the north-west have adopted similar tactics of mass kidnappings and raids without the ideological foundation.
President Bola Tinubu, who resumed office in May, has identified security as a top priority, evident in the increased defense spending, which constitutes 12% of this year’s budget, amounting to $4 billion.
Concerns linger about the effectiveness of these measures, with analysts questioning the impact of budget increases on violence.
Nigerian Army forces receive support from various international powers, including Britain and the United States. However, this backing has concerns about human rights abuses.
The drone strike has again highlighted the balance between addressing security threats and safeguarding human rights.
Many Countries, particularly the US and Britain, is to face scrutiny regarding their support for Nigerian Army.
Amnesty International, a global human rights organization, has reported a higher death toll of 120 people in the drone strike, citing its workers and volunteers in the affected area. The organization said that many victims were children, and additional bodies continued to be discovered.
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