Tudun-Biri Bombing: One Tragedy Too Many -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

On December 3rd, the people of Tudun-Biri community of Igabi local government, Kaduna state, witnessed one of the worst tragedy in their lives. They were celebrating maulud when military drone which was going after bandits dropped bombs and killed over 100 innocent lives. When the unfortunate and gory incident happened, the Nigeria’s Air Force (NAF), was accused for the dastardly operation which It reputed or denied. The Nigeria’s military later admitted responsible for what it described as accidental discharge or bombing. The killing of hundreds innocent people was greeted by condemnations from Nigerians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials and the presidency. Since the terrible bombing which resulted in high number of deaths and injuries, there have been calls from different parts of the country for proper investigation. Nigeria’s military, until it was dragged into counter-terrorism war, had remained in barracks and defended our territorial boundaries whenever the need arises . Besides, it also carried out other international assignments with utmost professionalism. The emerging of Boko Haram insurgents in 2007 and the threat it posed to the country, the military was deployed to crush the insurgents and provide internal security.

  The Nigeria’s army is not only waging war against Boko Haram insurgents, but also tackling the menace of banditry in the north-west and unknown gun men in South-East. However, there is hues and cries greeting their operations. The military are being blamed for human rights violation in the course of carrying out their assignments or operations. They intimidate, main and sometimes kill innocent lives. Evidences are bound and documented by media and the human rights organizations. In 2017,Nigeria’s Air force bombed more than two hundreds Internally Displaced people(IDPs) in Rann, Borno state. The same Air force killed some fulani herdsmen in Doma, Nasarawa state, who went to reclaim their cows seized by the lives guard security of Benue state. Sadly, it took NAF five months to explain that, the bombed fulani victims were bandits. One can continue to count more atrocities committed against the defenseless Nigerians by the military since it began its counter-terrorism war . No wonder, when the Tudun-Biri massacre happened, Nigerians quickly apportioned blames to the military.

  The military did not need to always blame error or accidental discharge for their fatal killings. The so-called accidental bombings of civilians had occurred several times. The poser begging for answer is: What did the military do to avert reoccurrence?  Unless those who operate the military’s jets or drones lack professionalism, they can not keep dropping bombs at every gatherings in the name of killing of terrorists.  They have to be guided by intelligence sharing and precision. There is no doubt, war against terrorists who resorted to guerilla fight, in the midst of civilians causes collateral damages, the military needs to exercise extreme caution to minimize it. It needs to deploy professionalism and adhere strictly to the rules of engagements. Nigeria is not the first country to fight terrorism other countries do. It may Interest you to know, those advance countries deploy non-kinetic approach to silence their adversaries instead of guns.

  President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s concern over the sad massacre is commendable. The federal government delegations led by Vice president, Kashim Shettima, and minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, who visited the injuries victims in Yusuf Dantsoho hospital indicated how government is deeply touched by the horrific events. The government assurance to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate killings, rebuilt the community and compensate the surviving ones will go along way towards consoling the community. Moreover, the director military media operations, Edward Buba, has assured Nigerians that the military will never repeat the costly mistake, exercise caution in its operation and above all obey military engagements. Nigerians hope the military will keep its words to avoid another tragedy.

  Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state. 08169056963.