People, including well-known organizations, have persisted in voicing their complaints to the military and offering their sympathies to the families of the over ninety (90) Nigerians who perished in the Kaduna bombing.
Recall that more than 80 villagers lost their lives when a Nigerian Army drone targeted a gathering commemorating Maulud.
In response to the terrible event, the Nigerian Army took responsibility for the bombing and expressed regret. It further declared that terrorists were the target of the bombing.
But there’s a history of unintentional bombardment by the Nigerian Army. That individuals tasked with safeguarding the public are murdering them defies common sense. There have been hundreds of cold-blooded murders of defenseless people, including women and kids.
According to findings, since the nation started fighting insurgents in 2009, there have been “eight” significant unintentional bombings by the military. For each unintentional airstrike, the military likewise has the same answer and justification: incorrectly entering the location or providing false intelligence.
The nation has recorded hundreds of deaths during these “eight” instances, yet nobody has ever been prosecuted. Deterrence and crime prevention are supposed to be ensured by punishment. It is being promoted by certain Nigerians that unintentional bombings would persist as long as the perpetrators are not held accountable.
Seven (7) instances where the Nigerian Air Force “accidentally” bombed civilian targets, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and injuries, are highlighted by WITHIN NIGERIA:
Rann, 2017 bombing
On January 17, 2017, a fighter jet operated by the Nigerian military accidentally bombed a refugee camp in the northeast of the nation, killing around seventy-five (75) persons and injuring several others.
It was revealed that the incident happened on Tuesday at about 9am local time (08:00 GMT) in Rann, in the far north of Borno state, the epicentre of Boko Haram’s armed campaign.
According to Nigeria’s Air Force, a fighter jet was on a mission against Boko Haram fighters when it accidentally struck the camp and killed an unknown number of refugees and aid workers.
Sakotoku, 2020 bombing
On April 13, 2022, a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet accidentally struck Sakotoku village, Damboa local government in Borno, killing at least seventeen (at least).
Military sources claimed that the air force was informed that Boko Haram insurgents were gathering around the village on Thursday afternoon.
According to a source, the supposed target was an area in Korongilum, a neighbouring village 12 kilometers away where suspected Boko Haram insurgents had gathered earlier.
“We don’t know if they didn’t communicate well with the land troops as the air force jet fired that bomb on the village,” one of the sources said.
“Seventeen people were killed, mostly women and their children playing under mango trees. Many were also injured and have been taken to the 25 army brigade in Damboa, and those with critical injuries were taken to Maiduguri.”
Mainok, 2021 bombing
At least twenty soldiers were killed on April 26, 2021, when a Nigerian Air Force fighter plane accidentally bombed a military vehicle.
According to military sources, the air force “accidentally” hit the wrong coordinates while targeting Boko Haram insurgents who had attacked the troops on Sunday.
Air force spokesman, Edward Gabwet disclosed that the incident is being investigated when he was contacted on Monday.
Another source revealed that the truck which was sent for reinforcement was targeted and shelled by the air strike following a flawed intelligence.
Genu, 2021 bombing
In Genu, a remote town in Niger State, some wedding guests were killed when a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet allegedly bombed the event on June 13, 2021.
According to reports, the airstrikes were targeting bandits and insurgents in the area.
It was also learned that the airstrike in which some armed bandits and cattle rustlers were killed took place at Genu town in Niger State.
It added that “One of the bombs allegedly strayed at a wedding party in an adjoining village.”
“We saw the small aircraft dropping bombs from afar on the location of fleeing bandits and one of the explosives hit a wedding event in Argida Village.
Buhari, 2021 bombing
On September 15, 2021, a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet accidentally bombed Buhari village, resulting in multiple fatalities and severe injuries to over thirty people.
According to sources, the bombing was authorised based on wrong coordinates.
Sources also revealed that at least 30 persons have been brought to the town’s general hospital where they are currently receiving treatment.
A military source further disclosed that residents of Buhari village suddenly came under fire from the skies as the jet began to empty its lethal warhead on them. “The damage was done before it could be realised that they were hitting the wrong target.”
However, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) denied it carried out air raids in the Yobe village on Wednesday, Sept. 15.
Edward Gabkwet, the NAF’s spokesperson, in a message sent to HumAngle, said reports linking the air force to the bombing were false.
“The NAF last conducted a mission into Yobe State (Not Yunusari LGA) on 5 September 2021 and it was an armed recce,” Gabkwet said.
“No bomb or missile was even expended.”
Kwatar Daban Masara, 2021 bombing
Numerous local residents were killed when a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet accidentally struck a fish market in the town of Daban Masara on September 29, 2021.
A resident identified as Husaini disclosed that his leg was wounded in the attack and atleast 50 people were killed instantly… including my friend who got married just three weeks ago.
The other resident, who asked not to be named, said locals had been fishing despite a military ban on the trade because of allegations the sales of fish are funding the Islamic State West Africa Province insurgent group.