Analysts Say Military Acted Professionally: ‘Terrorists Were Among Those Killed’
By Mike Odeh James
[Kaduna] Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has ordered a probe into the army drone strikes that killed dozens of villagers in Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria .
On Sunday, Dec. 3, 85 Muslims celebrating the birth of Muslim Prophet Muhammad were killed by Nigeria Army airstrike in Igabi county, north of Kaduna City.
Approximately 60 others with serious injuries were evacuated to hospital for treatment .
The Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for the incident, explaining that its troops were on a routine mission against terrorists when the “mistake” occurred.
However, in a statement on November 5, 2024 the Ajuri Ngelale, the special adviser to Nigeria’s president on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale described the incident as “unfortunate and disturbing.”
“President Bola Tinubu sympathizes with the families of victims, the people and government of Kaduna State over the bombing mishap in a village at Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of the state,” the statement reads.
“President Tinubu describes the incident as very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful, expressing indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives.
“The President directs a thorough and full-fledged investigation into the incident and calls for calm while the authorities look diligently into the mishap.
“The President also directs swift and comprehensive medical attention for surviving victims while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased.”
Despite Mishap, Army Acted Professionally: Analysts
In spite of the huge loss of lives, military analysts said the Nigerian military acted with true intension and professionally.
“My take, was that the Army was responding to what it thought was the massing of terrorists and so it fired an air to surface missiles which killed the civilians.
“The Army acted with the right intensions, but the consequences were unintended, Colonel Ahmad Zubairu (retired) told Truth Nigeria via a telephone conversation.
The Colonel further explained that “The situation in Igabi county is highly volatile, and the area is highly infested with Fulani Terrorists who are highly mobile thus mistakes are bound to happen.
Another retired military officer, Major Umar Bakori, who has seen action in Liberia and Sierra Leone told Truth Nigeria that,
“The Army acted with the right motive, and it acted professionally too.
“However, this is asymmetric warfare. The situation on ground can change any time, and so when the information given to the Army though genuine changes, you may have collateral damage” Bakori said.
“Igabi county as we all know, is choked with terrorists who at times moves into the town center with intention of killing or kidnapping. With such information, the Army take actions which may result in collateral damage,” Bakori added.
Nigerian Officer Staff Faulted
However, another retired military officer, Evangelist Mordecai Funom found the incident evidence of mismanagement and the lack of professionalism, meritocracy and discipline .
“Today’s Army is a product of nepotism and tribalism, and all this was hyped during the era of Muhammadu Buhari,” Funom said.
“While I won’t blame the gunner, I will ask that those that fed the gunner with the coordinates that targeted the civilians should be disciplined accordingly.
Funom said.
“If it were the Army that we joined over 30 years ago, such mishap won’t have happened. I will therefore ask President Tinubu to reintroduce professionalism and discipline to the branches of the military, Funom said.
Army Walks Back Its Acknowledgement of Error
The Nigeria Army has reversed it earlier assertion that the airstrike that killed 85 civilians was a mistake. In a statement issued by Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the Army said it noticed the movement of terrorists towards Ligarma village with the intention of attacking the community, and therfore acted to prevent the terrorists from attacking the village
“On 3 Dec 2023, at about 2200hrs and based on untoward activities by terrorists. The NA UAV detachment observed movement of terrorists at Ligarma, a terrorist-infested area of Kaduna State. Aerial surveillance captured movement of groups of persons synonymous with the terrorist tactics and modus operandi,” according to the statement.
“The observed advance of the terrorists that were gathered posted a threat to key infrastructure within reach of the untoward activities. Accordingly, the threat was eliminated to prevent the terrorists from unleashing terror on innocent civilians.
“It should be noted that terrorists often deliberately embed themselves within civilian population centers in order for 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,” Buba said.
—Mike Odeh James covers conflicts in the Middle Belt for Truth Nigeria from Kaduna.
