Two Nigerian military personnel are facing a court martial for their involvement in a military drone attack that resulted in the deaths of 85 villagers in Nigeria’s conflict-battered north. The Defense Headquarters spokesperson announced that the personnel would undergo military justice proceedings for their actions. Nigeria’s military frequently conducts air raids to combat extremist violence in the northern region, often resulting in civilian casualties.
The two military personnel will be subjected to military justice proceedings for acts of omission or commission after investigations found that the civilians killed by the strike were mistaken for terrorists. Nigeria’s military often conducts air raids as it fights extremist violence and rebel attacks that have destabilized the northern region for more than a decade, often leaving civilian casualties in its wake.
Since 2017, approximately 400 civilians have been killed by accidental strikes by the Nigerian military, according to the Lagos-based SBM Intelligence security firm. The December misfire occurred while villagers observed the Muslim holiday marking the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad in Kaduna state’s Tudun Biri village. Nigerian military authorities are being called upon to provide more information on the investigation, compensate victims, and implement systems and processes to avoid future misfires.
Anietie Ewang, a Nigerian researcher with Human Rights Watch, stressed the need for accountability and justice for victims of these airstrikes. President Bola Tinubu expressed that such avoidable errors are unacceptable and cannot be repeated. Rights groups and activists condemned the attack and called for increased scrutiny of the military’s operations in conflict zones.
One major concern that has been raised is the proliferation of drones within Nigerian security agencies without clear guidelines on when they can be used. Kabir Adamu, an Abuja-based security analyst, noted that the military will take extra precautions in the future to ensure that non-combatants are safe. The incident has prompted calls for more transparency and justice for the victims of the drone attack in Nigeria.
