In a tragic miscalculation, the Nigerian Army’s drone strike in Kaduna State, Nigeria, led to the death of at least 85 civilians, targeting a religious event by mistake. The incident took place on Sunday evening, December 3, 2023, in Tudun Biri village during the celebration of Mawlid al-Nabi, which marks the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.
The Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency has confirmed the death toll, with at least an additional 68 people reported injured. The victims ranged widely in age, from the very young to the elderly. Eyewitnesses shared harrowing details of the scene, including a second bomb striking those attempting to assist the initial victims.
The Nigerian Army has expressed remorse for the incident, admitting an aerial patrol’s misinterpretation in identifying the purpose and movements of the crowd, who were initially thought to be militants.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has responded by mandating a comprehensive investigation and offering condolences to the families of the deceased, calling for restraint during the investigative process.
The frequency of unintentional military strikes in Nigeria has raised considerable alarm. Reports from SB Morgen, a Nigerian intelligence agency, reveal that such incidents have resulted in over 300 deaths since 2017, casting a spotlight on concerns regarding military and intelligence practices in the nation.
In an effort to address this issue, the Kaduna State government has announced the creation of an inquiry commission to investigate this latest incident, reflecting an intention to tackle the ongoing problem of such tragic events.
