Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, last night, apologised for the bombing of civilians at Tundun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Sunday. Musa said the army acted on intelligence, but missed, and described the incident as highly regrettable.
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Speaking on Arise Television, the defence chief noted that going forward, the military would fine-tune its operations and ensure that such incidents do not reoccur.
In a similar vein, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, explained that the targets hit by the military drone in the Kaduna bombing were acquired by air surveillance and subsequently eliminated, presuming that terrorists, who were in the habit of using civilians as shield, were operating at the time.
The DHQ regretted the civilian casualties and claimed it always did its best to distinguish between civilians and terrorists. It said the suspicious movement of the allegedly celebrating crowd, had posed a major threat in an area notorious for terrorist activities, thus propelling the drone attack.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, who visited victims of the attack, tendered “unreserved” apology for the drone strike that hit a civilian community and claimed many
The CDS explained that the pattern of movement of the civilians, who were affected, looked almost like that of the terrorists, who had been operating heavily around the area, causing the army to engage them.
Musa refuted insinuations that it was lack of synergy among the armed forces that probably caused the incident. He explained that the cordial relationship between the heads of the forces had never been better.
He stated, “The army has air operation. We have the army aviation, the air force has its own, and the drones are also enablers that we use for modern warfare. The pilots are well-trained and well prepared for the operations.
“I just want to remind individuals that it is a war we’re fighting and, therefore, we make mistakes. As human beings, we all make mistakes and this is just one of them. It was not deliberate.
“They went on after receiving an information of a threat of attack within the general area and they saw the traits of individuals moving similar to the way the terrorists also move, and then they went to congregate under a tree, just the way terrorists do.
“And I think from there, they felt it was time for them to act and then they reacted. It was based on intelligence, but I think they just missed it. And now we just want to convey to Nigerians to understand that mistakes are human and it is highly regrettable.
“We will make amends and ensure we look back and see where these mistakes came from, and then to be able to make sure that we get rid of them properly and to avoid such mistakes.”
Musa noted that it was the duty of the military to protect civilians, not to harm them, especially Nigerian citizens, describing the incident as “highly unfortunate.”
He added that the allegation of partiality against him in some quarters was unfortunate, stressing that the area comprised a mix of more than one tribe and one religion.
“We’re trying to make sure that we’re putting up our best to ensure that we defeat the terrorists and mistakes do happen. It has nothing to do with tribe, religion or ethnicity,” Musa said.
From DHQ, a statement by Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, said on December 3 about 2200hrs, and based on untoward activities by terrorists, the Nigerian Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) detachment observed movement of terrorists at Ligarma, a terrorist-infested area of Kaduna State.
The statement said, “Aerial surveillance captured movement of groups of persons synonymous with the terrorists tactics and modus operandi. The observed advance of the terrorists that were gathered posed a threat to key infrastructure within reach of the untoward activities. Accordingly, the threat was eliminated to prevent the terrorists from unleashing terror on innocent civilians.
“It should be noted that terrorist often deliberately embed themselves within civilian population centres in order for the civilian population to bear the consequences of their atrocities. Nevertheless, the Nigerian military does its best at all times to distinguish between civilians and terrorists.
“The military views every civilian death in the cause of operations as a tragedy. Such tragedies are needless and unwanted, that cause the armed forces to take extensive measures to avoid them.
“One of such measures taken by the military is to continually give precise instructions to communities. For instance, communities are to always alert troops of their activities, particularly when such a community is known to be infested with terrorists and their sympathisers. These instructions are intended at enabling the military distinguish between friendly and untoward activities.”
The defence headquarters affirmed that the armed forces would continue to operate consistent with international law, as it had always done, and will also continue its determined and cautious progress in eradicating terrorists from the country.
It said, “These terrorist, as part of their tactics, disguise as civilians to perpetrate terror. Accordingly, we will continue to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced in the conduct of operations.”
Lagbaja, who visited the victims yesterday, apologised for the unfortunate incident. He ordered a thorough inquiry to ascertain and identify areas of deficiency that led to the inadvertent disaster.
The COAS added that the findings and the outcome of the investigation would guide the Nigerian Army in meticulously and professionally seeking and applying lasting solutions to identified lapses and deficiencies in both the human and artificial intelligence variables that would forestall future occurrence.
Lagbaja affirmed that in spite of the unfortunate incident, the military remained committed to its constitutional role and democratic stability.
The army chief, who paid a condolence visit to Tudun Biri community, arrived the place in the early hours of Tuesday. He was accompanied by Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) from the Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding 1 Division, where he met with the Dangaladima Zazau, the District Head of Rigasa, Architect Aminu Idris, and other leaders and members of the community.
A statement by Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said Lagbaja, in an emotion-laden speech, “expressed regrets on the unfortunate mishap, describing it as a very disheartening occurrence”.
Lagbaja noted that in the recent past, the general area of Tudun Biri and adjoining villages had been infested with armed bandits, who terrorised the communities, until troops of the Nigerian Army started conducting operations to sanitise the area and make it habitable.
He pointed out that the “troops were carrying out aerial patrols when they observed a group of people and wrongly analysed and misinterpreted their pattern of activities to be similar to that of the bandits, before the drone struck”.
The army chief stated that he was in Tudun Biri “to personally witness the site of the mishap and to convey sincere regrets and unreserved apologies on behalf of the Nigerian Army to the District Head and people of the community, as well as the government and entire people of Kaduna State”.
Lagbaja also commiserated with Chairman of Jamaa’ atu Nasru Islam, Kaduna State, Professor Shafiu Abdullahi, and other clerics.
He also visited affected victims at the Barua Dikko Teaching Hospital Anguwan Rimi, Kaduna, where he made an immediate donation of several provisions for their upkeep and money for their bills.
District Head of Rigasa, Architect Aminu Idris, in his remarks, said despite the enormity of the incident, the Nigerian Army showed integrity in accepting responsibility for the drone strike. Idris urged the leadership of the Nigerian Army to intervene to bring succour to the hospitalised victims and the community.
He maintained that the community was a mixed community of both Muslims and Christians and the victims were of both faiths, contrary to earlier insinuations that the community was solely Muslim.
Meanwhile, at a media workshop organised by the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) in Abuja, Lagbaja, who was represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Maj-Gen AA Ayanuga, said the military remained committed to its constitutional role and democratic stability.
He said, “Nigerian Army remains highly committed to constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation and democratic stability. We remain resolute in expending all our resources to ensure that all enemies of state are contained.”
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