Northern Groups Fault DHQ On Kaduna Bombing

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has expressed sadness over the recent military airstrikes in Tudun Biri village in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives during a peaceful religious festivity. It alleged a deliberate plot to decimate the region’s population and reduce its numerical advantage. 

The CNG said it was particularly worried that despite the killing of over 100 unarmed civilians and injuring several others, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Tuesday attempted to shift blame by saying that the Nigerian Army did its best to distinguish between civilians and terrorists in the bombing of the community in Kaduna State.

In a statement by the national coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, he said the CNG finds it disturbing that without remorse, the DHQ tried to justify the heinous act of killing of innocent civilians by saying that terrorists often mix with civilians, noting that the Army’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) detachment observed the movement of terrorists at Ligarma, an area notorious for being a haven for insurgents. It said the DHQ’s attempt to “shamelessly shift blame and justify the killing of innocent civilians is deeply troubling as it seems to lack remorse and accountability, which raises questions about the ethical conduct of the Nigerian Army.’’

It said the DHQ’s argument that terrorists often mix with civilians is not a valid justification for the loss of innocent lives, adding that the indiscriminate bombing of a community, regardless of the presence of terrorists, is a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

It said, “The DHQ’s claim that the Army’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) detachment observed the movement of terrorists in the area is insufficient to justify the loss of civilian lives. 

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The use of UAVs should enhance the military’s ability to gather intelligence and accurately identify targets, thereby reducing the risk of civilian casualties. However, it is evident that this was not the case in the Kaduna State incident. The failure to distinguish between civilians and terrorists is shameful and questions the effectiveness and professionalism of the Nigerian Army.”

The CNG said it is also worried by the disjointed, incoherent, contradictory, and uncoordinated explanations provided by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), the Air Force, and the Army headquarters regarding the recent Kaduna attacks which raise concerns about the effectiveness of their operations.

“This confirms the fears that the prevalence of insecurity in Nigeria over the last 16 years can be attributed, in part, to the lack of coordination and collaboration which indicates a larger problem within Nigeria’s security forces,” he said.