Gumi comments on the drone attack in Kaduna- which caused further harm to the evacuating victims

Renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who resides in Kaduna State, stated that the bombing on Sunday that took over 120 lives in Tudun Biri in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State was carried out on purpose by the Nigerian Army using a drone.

On Sunday night, while the community in the state’s Igabi Local Government area celebrated Maulud, innocent citizens—including women and children—were struck dead, and over sixty others were left injured.

According to the expert, targeting women, children, and the elderly during a conflict is wrong, but the military chose to act differently since they believed the civilians were terrorists’ relatives.

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Speaking at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna during his weekly lecture, Sheikh Gumi questioned whether the first bomb thrown on the people was a mistake, as reported, and what about the second explosion, which, according to the villagers, targeted those transporting the remains 30 minutes later.

He claimed that God had revealed some of the crimes carried out by the military in the forest and that he had been pleading with people to recognise that innocent villagers were being targeted by security bombardment in the forest, but that no one had been paying attention.

“I kept telling you not to invite people who think that war is the answer, but people wouldn’t listen,” he remarked. It’s now here. Since it affects everyone, war is never funny. You keep insisting they should be killed, even though I warned you about this.

“You will be the one slain. That bomb was intended to murder certain people’s wives and children by going after their families. I saw a village in a distant forest where women and children had been massacred.

“There have been numerous bombings. No one spoke until it got closer to the city. I have consistently maintained that peaceful engagement should be the approach taken in any situation involving Boko Haram or bandits.

Following the recent bombing of Tudun Biri’s defenceless inhabitants, there is growing unease among the Nigerian Army and Air Force.

The air force was upset with the army for deploying its unmanned drone, which resulted in the disastrous mission, reliable sources told the Daily Trust.

Since then, the Nigerian Army has acknowledged being accountable for the bombing while claiming that the airstrikes were unintentional and that the operators were aiming their weapons at militants.

Lt. Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, also paid a visit to the location of the disaster to offer his condolences to the district head, clerics, and the family of the victims. He also provided the victims with relief supplies and a N10 million cash award.

Days after the tragic Tudun Biri event, however, reports indicate that air personnel assigned to various operations around the theatres are complaining about it. They claim that the Nigerian Army’s desire to include air operations into their activities in theatres demonstrates a “lack of trust.”

Recall that in September 2023, the Nigerian Army resurrected its aviation unit with President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the potential purchase of 12 assault helicopters.

The Nigerian Army Aviation Unit was established to increase the agility, responsiveness, and effectiveness of ground forces during operations. The COAS stated at the inauguration of the first Nigerian Army Aviation Seminar in Abuja that the 12 MD 530F Cayuse attack helicopters would operationalize the unit.

He said that getting the helicopter would also help the coalition and allied forces operate more successfully overall.

However, the Nigeria Air Force swiftly distanced itself from the situation after the killing in Kaduna occurred on Sunday, stating that its officers had not conducted any operations in the previous 24 hours.

In a statement released on Monday by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the NAF’s spokesman, the service chastised individuals who blamed the event on their organisation, pointing out that it was not the only group using armed combat drones in the northwest of Nigeria.

Some obviously irate NAF officials, meantime, expressed their frustrations by claiming that, compared to many other military services, air personnel have better training and equipment to conduct air operations “with precision.”

While all security and service agencies receive the same training, each has a specific job or roles. According to a NAF official, “the truth is that air troops are more experienced with air operations than any other troops, whether in flying drones or attack helicopters.”

An additional NAF official contended that air operations necessitate a high level of technical expertise and intelligence collection prior to any consideration of attacking adversaries.

“Those who define roles for each of the services are not stupid,” he remarked. Our collaborative efforts are what matter most. To be honest, I don’t believe that army officers ought to work in aviation.

However, several army officers countered that using drones to combat attackers was “no big deal” and that this was not the first time they had done so.

“Just because we erred this time, doesn’t imply we can’t fly a drone against adversaries in the future. The army officer declared, “We are able and have the ability to fly it.

According to a person with knowledge of Army and Air Force officials, what transpired in Tudun Biri could have been prevented.

“Some army officials actually hinted at some air force officials before dropping the bomb on the Maulud celebrants, and they were cautioned on the grounds that the gathering did not seem to be that of terrorists.”

The army was informed that terrorists do not tend to congregate in big groups within a community. Additionally, you will notice a lot of motorcycles whenever you witness robbers or terrorists gathering. That particular day, there were no motorbikes at the Maulud site.It was quite regrettable, the insider stated.