The recent news that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) mistakenly hit members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (ZCPG), vigilantes, and some residents has once more brought such occurrence to the fore.
The accidental airstrike, which claimed 16 lives, happened on January 11 at Tungar Kara community of Gidan Goga district, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara.
Media reports suggest that the misdirected airstrike occurred shortly after bandits raided the area and fled.
As first responders after the attack, the ZCPG and vigilantes mobilised to defend the community but were caught in the airstrike, targeted at the bandits.
However, it was the decision of NAF to initially stay tight-lipped about the incident that elicited displeasure from both the community affected and the general public.
On January 12, Gov. Dauda Lawal had to issue a press statement to confirm that some members of the ZCPG and vigilantes lost their lives during the airstrike.
Some security experts say, while accidental airstrikes are not unheard of elsewhere, the frequency and severity of such mistakes should worry the Nigerian military.
Indeed, such mishaps do occur, such as the one involving the U.S Marine Corps in August 2021.
An airstrike launched by the Marine’s Hellfire missile in Kabul, Afghanistan, to target ISIS-K planners accidentally killed 10 civilians.
The commander of U.S Central Command, Marine Corps, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, Jr. offered condolences to the family and friends of those killed.
“Having thoroughly reviewed the findings of the investigation and the supporting analysis by interagency partners, I am now convinced that as many as 10 civilians were tragically killed in that strike.
“Moreover, we now assess that it is unlikely that the vehicle and those who died were associated with ISIS-K or were a direct threat to U.S. forces.
“Our investigation now concludes that the strike was a tragic mistake,” he said.
According to some strategic communication experts, apart from the frequency, the difference between cases such as that of the U.S. and Nigeria is how the military responds to them.
“It’s like plane crashes; they can happen anywhere but should they be occurring frequently? We just witnessed one in December and now another incident has happened.
“There is also the response matter which the military rarely ever handles well. In some cases, it denies that a case occurred only to later confirm and ‘commence an investigation,’” an analyst said.
Timeline of recent accidental airstrikes involving Nigerian military
In January 2017, an airstrike mistakenly targeted a camp for internally displaced persons in Rann, Borno, resulting in over 100 deaths, including refugees and aid workers.
In April 2019, during an offensive against bandits terrorising Zamfara, a military air raid accidentally bombed Tangaram village. The military strike injured 17 civilians and left six children dead.
In April 2020, at least 17 people, including women and children, were killed when a fighter jet belonging to the NAF accidentally opened bombs on Sakotoku village in Borno.
On April 25, 2021, a fighter jet misidentified and bombed a Nigerian Army truck in Mainok, Borno, leading to the deaths of more than 20 soldiers.
In September 2021, an airstrike hit a fish market in Daban Masara, Borno, killing at least 60 people.
In February 2022, seven children were killed in Nachade village, a border community in Niger Republic, in an air strike by the Nigerian army targeting bandits.
In April 2022, six children were killed when a NAF fighter jet, targeting terrorists, mistakenly struck the Kurebe village in Niger State.
On Dec. 18, 2022, an airstrike in Mutumji village, Zamfara State, resulted in 64 civilian deaths.
On Jan. 24, 2023, an airstrike in Doma, Nasarawa State, killed over 40 herders.
On Dec. 3, 2023, a drone strike in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, mistakenly targeted a religious gathering, killing at least 85 civilians.
On Dec. 25, 2024, an airstrike in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa villages, Sokoto State, intended for the Lakurawa insurgent group, inadvertently killed at least 10 civilians.
According to the security analysis and research firm SBM Intelligence, within this period (2017-2025), the military has killed about 400 civilians mostly by accidental airstrikes.
In the case of Kaduna as in others before it, the military hierarchy promised to take action.
The Defence Headquarters said that two military personnel would face court martial for the December 3, 2023 accidental bombing on the Tudun Biri village of Kaduna State.
“The military conducted a painstaking investigation into the accidental drone strike and has initiated disciplinary actions against troops that were indicted.
“Accordingly, the affected personnel are to face a court martial for acts of omission or commission with respect to the incident,” Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba.
Similarly, after the Zamfara incident, the NAF said human lives remain sacrosanct in its operations.
“As a responsible and professional custodian of airpower for the security of the nation, the NAF believes in the absolute value of the life of every Nigerian,” he said in a statement.
“While our mission in the North West remains to combat banditry and restore peace, the safety and well-being of all Nigerians are of utmost importance,” Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF’s director of public relations and information, an Air Commodore.
There is no doubt that Nigeria’s military, using their land and air powers, have recorded huge success in the fight against terrorists.
Buoyed by this, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, declared that 2025 will see the end of these elements in Nigeria.
“This year, 2025, will be a decisive year for Nigeria’s security.
“We must make it the year we finally eradicate banditry, terrorism, and all forms of insecurity threatening our great nation,” Musa said during a visit to troops of Operation Safe Haven in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.
While the military push terrorism to the brink, stakeholders say they need to further fine-tune their operations in order to keep Nigerians safe while achieving set targets.
“One fundamental step is to invest in advanced technology and training for personnel.
“Precision-guided munitions, real-time surveillance, and improved communication systems can significantly reduce the risk of collateral damage.
“Additionally, personnel must be adequately trained to interpret intelligence and execute operations with a focus on minimising civilian casualties,’’ said Kasim Muhammad, a public affairs analyst.
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations led by Global Rights, and Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre, align with Muhammad’s position.
“The Nigerian military must review their operational protocols to enhance intelligence gathering, improve precision in targeting, and minimise civilian casualties during military operations,’’ they said in a recent statement.