Nine months on, justice eludes victims of Kaduna drone strike

Nearly nine months after at least 88 innocent civilians were mistakenly killed in a drone strike in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, justice remains elusive for the victims.

The incident, which occurred on December 3, 2023, during a Mawlid celebration, sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.

The Nigerian Armed Forces had targeted what they believed to be bandits but mistakenly hit a village, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

Initially, the Nigerian Army denied responsibility but later acknowledged the deaths of 85 people, a figure confirmed by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and the Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency. Amnesty International reported that 120 people, mostly children, were killed.

The Nigerian Army expressed regret, attributing the tragedy to a misinterpretation of the situation. Major General Edward Buba described the deaths as a “needless tragedy” and explained that terrorists often embed themselves among civilians.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, apologised and promised a thorough inquiry. President Bola Tinubu ordered a comprehensive investigation and called for accountability, stating that such incidents should never happen again.

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Veteran Defense Editor, Philip Nwosu, stressed the need for a court martial and compensation for the victims’ families. He stressed that military personnel responsible for the error should face appropriate punishment and that compensation is essential to address the loss.

Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, criticised the delay in justice and called for an independent investigation.

He accused the military hierarchy and government of impunity and suggested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) might be necessary for accountability.

In response, Major General Buba stated that the case is ongoing in a court martial and promised updates once a verdict is reached.