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⚫ {{tone|date=December 2023}}
{{Short description|2023 fatal Nigerian military action}} {{Short description|2023 fatal Nigerian military action}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
The '''Tudun Biri drone strike''' occurred on the evening of 3 December 2023, during the ] in ], ], as part of routine anti-terrorism operations. Executed by the ], the drone strike resulted in the accidental deaths of over 85 civilians, predominantly women and children, in the village of Tudun Biri, causing additional injuries and widespread distress.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Muhammad |first=Garba |date=2023-12-04 |title=Civilians killed in Nigerian drone attack in north - officials, witnesses |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/civilians-killed-nigerian-drone-attack-north-officials-witnesses-2023-12-04/ |access-date=2023-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Harin Bama-Bamai Kan Masu Maulidi A Kaduna Ya Fusata 'Yan Najeriya |url=https://www.arewaradio.com/news/labarai-news/harin-bama-bamai-kan-masu-maulidi-a-kaduna-ya-fusata-yan-najeriya/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Arewa Radio |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sulaiman |date=2023-12-04 |title=Sojojin Nijeriya Sun Dauki Alhakin Kai Harin Bam Cikin Kuskure A Wurin Taron Mauludi A Kaduna |url=https://hausa.leadership.ng/sojojin-nijeriya-sun-dauki-alhakin-kai-harin-bam-cikin-kuskure-a-wurin-taron-mauludi-a-kaduna/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
| title = Tudun Biri drone strike
| location = Tudun Biri, ], ]
⚫ | date = 3 December 2023
| partof = ]
| type = Accidental drone strike
| fatalities = 120+ (per Amnesty International Nigeria)<ref name=":2" /><br>88+ (per Nigerian authorities)<ref name=":3" />
| perpetrator = {{flagdeco|Nigeria}} ]
}}
{{Campaignbox Nigerian bandit conflict}}
On 3 December 2023, a ] was carried out by the ] on Tudun Biri, ]. Targeting what they thought was a group of bandits, the army mistakenly hit a village, killing at least 88 civilians.


==Background== ==Background==
In their campaigns against ] and jihadist activity in northern Nigeria, drones have been heavily used by the Nigerian government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-05 |title='Dole a hukunta wadanda suka hari ta sama a jihar Kaduna' |trans-title='Those who carried out aerial attacks in Kaduna state must be punished' |url=https://www.bbc.com/hausa/articles/c4n84mjdvyzo |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=BBC News Hausa |language=ha}}</ref> These have led to airstrikes on civilian centers with heavy casualties, including an attack in ] in January that killed 39 civilians.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-06 |title=Nigeria: No Justice for Civilians Killed in Airstrike {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/06/nigeria-no-justice-civilians-killed-airstrike |access-date=2023-12-06 |language=en}}</ref> A drone strike in ] in March 2023 killed three others in Sabon Gida.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Torelli |first=Chiara |date=2023-12-06 |title=Kaduna: 85 civilians killed, 66 injured in mistaken Nigerian air strike during religious celebrations in Tudun Biri village, 3 Dec. |url=https://aoav.org.uk/2023/kaduna-85-civilians-killed-66-injured-in-mistaken-nigerian-air-strike-during-religious-celebrations-in-tudun-biri-village-3-dec/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=AOAV |language=en-US}}</ref> Survivors of the attack stated that no bandits were in Tudun Biri, and the one time there was a bandit, he was disowned.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Isenyo |first=Godwin |date=2023-12-05 |title=We thought terrorists were raining bombs – Kaduna community attack survivors |url=https://punchng.com/we-thought-terrorists-were-raining-bombs-kaduna-community-attack-survivors/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref>
Collaborating with international allies, including the ] and ], the ] has a history of using drone technology in counter-terrorism efforts. The incident in Tudun Biri highlights the inherent complexities and risks associated with such operations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-05 |title='Dole a hukunta wadanda suka hari ta sama a jihar Kaduna' |url=https://www.bbc.com/hausa/articles/c4n84mjdvyzo |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=BBC News Hausa |language=ha}}</ref>


==Strike== ==Strike==
The drone strike occurred as the villagers were celebrating ], the birth of the Prophet ]. A Nigerian drone flying overhead in routine counter-terrorism operations mistook the movements of the civilians for bandits, and the ] called in an airstrike on the village.<ref name=":0" /> A survivor of the attacks stated, "I was just standing when I head loud sounds of bombs."<ref name=":1" /> Immediately after the attacks, the survivors fled in every direction, sleeping in the woods that night.<ref name=":1" />
The ], ], confirmed the unintended civilian casualties, with reports suggesting a death toll exceeding 85. During a security briefing, religious leader Sheikh Rabiu Abdullahi reported over 50 deaths, emphasizing the impact on those participating in the Maulud celebration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-05 |title=Nigeria army drone strike accident kills 85 civilians |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/rest-of-africa/nigeria-army-drone-strike-accident-kills-85-civilians-4454562 |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=The East African |language=en}}</ref>

The Nigerian Air Force initially denied responsibility for the attacks, but later admitted that 85 people were killed.<ref name=":0" /> This number was stated by Kaduna State governor ] and the Nigerian ].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Nigerian military drone attack kills 85 civilians in error |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/5/nigerian-military-drone-attack-kills-85-civilians-in-error |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news |last=Ogao |first=Emma |title=88 dead after military drone mistakenly strikes festival in Nigeria's Kaduna State, local officials say |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/88-dead-after-military-drone-mistakenly-strikes-fesitval/story?id=105414426 |access-date=2023-12-06 |publisher=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> ]'s Nigeria office, citing locals, stated that 120 people were killed in the attack.<ref name=":2" /> Most of the dead were children.<ref name=":2" />


==Aftermath== ==Aftermath==
Fifty bodies were buried on the first day, and the remaining bodies were buried in a mass burial on December 5.<ref name=":1" />
⚫ President ] expressed sympathy and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-05 |title=Tinubu ya ce a gudanar da bincike kan harin da ya kashe masu Mauludi a Kaduna |url=https://www.rfi.fr/ha/najeriya/20231205-tinubu-ya-ce-a-gudanar-da-bincike-kan-harin-da-ya-kashe-masu-mauludi-a-kaduna |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=RFI |language=ha}}</ref> In an official statement, he described it as "unfortunate, disturbing, and painful," emphasizing the need for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the drone strike.
In May 2024 it was announced that two military officers would face court martial as a result of the investigation into this incident.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ifijeh |first1=Felix |title=Two Officers To Face Court Martial Over Kaduna Accidental Air Raid |url=https://thewillnews.com/two-officers-to-face-court-martial-over-kaduna-accidental-air-raid/ |work=The Will |date=May 2, 2024}}</ref>


===Reactions===
Ongoing investigations face challenges due to security issues in the region. Major VU Okoro, the General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, explained that the drone strike inadvertently affected members of the community during an anti-terrorism mission.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-05 |title=ACF seeks investigation of military drone attack on Tudun Biri community - SolaceBase |url=https://solacebase.com/acf-seeks-investigation-of-military-drone-attack-on-tudun-biri-community/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫ President ] expressed his condolences for the victims, and ordered an investigation into the airstrike.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-05 |title=Tinubu ya ce a gudanar da bincike kan harin da ya kashe masu Mauludi a Kaduna |trans-title=Tinubu said that there should be an investigation into the attack that killed the Mauludi people in Kaduna |url=https://www.rfi.fr/ha/najeriya/20231205-tinubu-ya-ce-a-gudanar-da-bincike-kan-harin-da-ya-kashe-masu-mauludi-a-kaduna |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=RFI |language=ha}}</ref> Nigerian Army chief of staff ] attended the funeral and echoed Tinubu's sentiments.<ref name=":1" />

The incident prompts reflection on the delicate equilibrium between national security objectives and the imperative to protect civilian lives. As investigations unfold, the Tudun Biri Drone Strike stands as a poignant reminder of the complex challenges faced by the Nigerian military in safeguarding communities while combating terrorism.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-05 |title=Military Drone Attack Kills 85 People in Nigerian Village |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/military-drone-attack-kills-85-people-in-nigerian-village/7384710.html |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nigerian military drone attack kills 85 civilians in error |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/5/nigerian-military-drone-attack-kills-85-civilians-in-error |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>


== References == == References ==
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Latest revision as of 14:48, 11 December 2024

2023 fatal Nigerian military action
Tudun Biri drone strike
Part of Nigerian bandit conflict
LocationTudun Biri, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Date3 December 2023
Attack typeAccidental drone strike
Deaths120+ (per Amnesty International Nigeria)
88+ (per Nigerian authorities)
Perpetrator Nigerian Air Force
Nigerian bandit conflict
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

On 3 December 2023, a drone strike was carried out by the Nigerian Armed Forces on Tudun Biri, Kaduna State. Targeting what they thought was a group of bandits, the army mistakenly hit a village, killing at least 88 civilians.

Background

In their campaigns against bandits and jihadist activity in northern Nigeria, drones have been heavily used by the Nigerian government. These have led to airstrikes on civilian centers with heavy casualties, including an attack in Nasarawa State in January that killed 39 civilians. A drone strike in Kaduna State in March 2023 killed three others in Sabon Gida. Survivors of the attack stated that no bandits were in Tudun Biri, and the one time there was a bandit, he was disowned.

Strike

The drone strike occurred as the villagers were celebrating Mawlid, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. A Nigerian drone flying overhead in routine counter-terrorism operations mistook the movements of the civilians for bandits, and the Nigerian Air Force called in an airstrike on the village. A survivor of the attacks stated, "I was just standing when I head loud sounds of bombs." Immediately after the attacks, the survivors fled in every direction, sleeping in the woods that night.

The Nigerian Air Force initially denied responsibility for the attacks, but later admitted that 85 people were killed. This number was stated by Kaduna State governor Uba Sani and the Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency. Amnesty International's Nigeria office, citing locals, stated that 120 people were killed in the attack. Most of the dead were children.

Aftermath

Fifty bodies were buried on the first day, and the remaining bodies were buried in a mass burial on December 5. In May 2024 it was announced that two military officers would face court martial as a result of the investigation into this incident.

Reactions

President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences for the victims, and ordered an investigation into the airstrike. Nigerian Army chief of staff Taoreed Lagbaja attended the funeral and echoed Tinubu's sentiments.

References

  1. ^ "Nigerian military drone attack kills 85 civilians in error". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  2. ^ Ogao, Emma. "88 dead after military drone mistakenly strikes festival in Nigeria's Kaduna State, local officials say". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  3. "'Dole a hukunta wadanda suka hari ta sama a jihar Kaduna'" ['Those who carried out aerial attacks in Kaduna state must be punished']. BBC News Hausa (in Hausa). 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  4. "Nigeria: No Justice for Civilians Killed in Airstrike | Human Rights Watch". 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  5. ^ Torelli, Chiara (2023-12-06). "Kaduna: 85 civilians killed, 66 injured in mistaken Nigerian air strike during religious celebrations in Tudun Biri village, 3 Dec". AOAV. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  6. ^ Isenyo, Godwin (2023-12-05). "We thought terrorists were raining bombs – Kaduna community attack survivors". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  7. Ifijeh, Felix (May 2, 2024). "Two Officers To Face Court Martial Over Kaduna Accidental Air Raid". The Will.
  8. "Tinubu ya ce a gudanar da bincike kan harin da ya kashe masu Mauludi a Kaduna" [Tinubu said that there should be an investigation into the attack that killed the Mauludi people in Kaduna]. RFI (in Hausa). 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
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