According to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in order to increase the number of deaths, the terrorists targeted in an air operation at Tundun Biri in Kaduna State’s Igabi Local Government Area were deliberately mixed up with civilians.
The news was made by DHQ on Tuesday in a statement that was signed by Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba.
The statement explained the sequence of events that resulted in the mistaken airstrike on Sunday that claimed the lives of numerous civilians in the state.
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According to Platinumpost, the Nigerian Army took ownership of the situation. According to the Army, while on a normal mission against terrorists, its men unintentionally caused harm to community members.
“On December 3, 2023, at about 2200hrs and based on untoward activities of terrorists,” the DHQ stated in an explanation of the circumstances. In Kaduna State’s Ligarma, a terrorist hotspot, the NA UAV detachment tracked terrorist movements.
The movement of groups of people associated with terrorist tactics and methods was observed by aerial surveillance.
“Key infrastructure that was within the range of the undesirable actions was under danger due to the terrorists’ observed advance.
In light of this, the threat was removed in order to stop the terrorists from terrorising defenceless populations.
It should be highlighted that terrorists frequently embed themselves purposefully in areas where there is a high concentration of civilians so that the civilian population suffers the consequences of their atrocities.
However, the Nigerian military always makes an effort to tell the difference between terrorists and civilians.
Every civilian fatality resulting from military actions is seen as a tragedy by the military. Because these deaths are avoidable and unnecessary, the armed forces take great precautions to prevent them.
But the DHQ pointed out that it has consistently told locals to notify the military of terrorist activity, especially in areas where the terrorist group is strong and has supporters.
The announcement stated, “The military will be able to distinguish between friendly and untoward activities with the help of these instructions.”
Buba gave Nigerians assurances that the armed forces would always uphold international law and take prudent steps to drive out terrorists from both governed and ungoverned areas.
As part of their strategy, these terrorists pose as civilians in order to carry out terror attacks. As a result, we’ll keep coming up with creative answers to the problems encountered when carrying out operations,” he declared.
President Bola Tinubu has demanded a comprehensive and in-depth probe of the incident in the meantime.
He lamented the terrible loss of Nigerian lives and called the situation “very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful.”
