Someone needs to be sacked, face the wrath of law.
The recent tragic airstrike in Zamfara State, where a Nigerian fighter jet mistakenly bombed vigilantes targeting bandits, underscores a persistent and alarming pattern of misidentifications by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
This incident is not an isolated case but part of a broader issue of operational negligence and a lack of accountability in military operations.
In January 2017, a Nigerian Air Force jet mistakenly bombed an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Rann, Borno State, killing at least 115 people, including six Red Cross aid workers. The military attributed the error to faulty intelligence that misidentified the camp as a Boko Haram encampment.
More recently, on December 3, 2023, a drone strike in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, intended for bandits, hit a village, killing at least 88 civilians. Survivors reported that no bandits were present at the time.
These incidents highlight a troubling trend of the NAF’s inability to accurately distinguish between combatants and civilians, leading to unnecessary loss of innocent lives.
The Nigerian government’s response to these recurring errors has been inadequate. While investigations are occasionally promised, they often lack transparency, and victims seldom receive compensation or justice.
For instance, HumAngle reported that, after the Tangaram bombing in April 2019, where six civilians were killed, the Air Force issued a secret apology without a public acknowledgment of the mistake.
The bitter truth is that these airstrikes are reckless and unlawful, the use of deadly force without proper verification is unacceptable.
The consistent pattern of civilian casualties due to misidentifications by the NAF calls for urgent reforms. More painful is when some officers tries to justify such an unforgiving taboo
There is a pressing need for improved intelligence gathering, better training for military personnel, and a more robust system of accountability. Without these measures, the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat banditry and insurgency will continue to harm the very citizens they aim to protect.
The recent bombing in Zamfara is a stark reminder of the Nigerian military’s failure to safeguard its people. Until substantial reforms are implemented, these tragic mistakes are likely to persist, undermining public trust and the effectiveness of military operations.
Wadzani Apagu, Nigeria
Wadzaniapagu@yahoo.com
