A devastating error by the Nigerian Army led to the deaths of at least 85 civilians in Kaduna State, Nigeria, following a drone strike that erroneously hit a religious celebration.
On the evening of December 3, 2023, in Tudun Biri village, people were assembled for Mawlid al-Nabi, a Muslim holiday honoring the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, when the incident occurred.
Confirmed by the Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency, the drone strike not only resulted in 85 deaths but also injured at least 68 others.
The catastrophe affected a diverse group of individuals, including children and the elderly. Witnesses described a chilling scene as a second bomb hit rescuers aiding the initial bomb victims.
The Nigerian Army admitted the mistake, acknowledging their incorrect assessment of the group as bandits, who have been a source of violence in the region.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has called for an exhaustive investigation and conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families, emphasizing the need for calm as the investigation progresses.
The history of unintended military strikes in Nigeria is concerning. According to SB Morgen, a local geopolitical intelligence service, accidental military strikes have claimed the lives of at least 300 people since 2017, highlighting critical issues with military and intelligence operations.
In response to this incident, the Kaduna State government has initiated the formation of a commission to investigate, signaling efforts to confront the recurring pattern of such tragic occurrences.