Nigerian Army to Court Martial Officers Over Airstrike that Killed 85 Civilians

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian army has announced that two of its military personnel will face a court martial, following an investigation into a deadly drone strike that mistakenly killed 85 civilians in Tudun Biri village, northwestern Nigeria, on December 3rd last year.

The tragic incident occurred during the celebration of a Muslim festival, where the victims were erroneously identified as terrorists.

The announcement was made by Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, May 2nd.

He detailed that after a "painstaking investigation," the army initiated disciplinary actions against those found culpable in the incident. The individuals are to be tried for acts of omission or commission related to the airstrike.

Major General Buba did not disclose additional details about the court martial proceedings but emphasized the army's commitment to accountability in its operations.

The Nigerian armed forces frequently utilize airstrikes in their ongoing battle against bandit militias and jihadist groups, which have been active in the country's northwest and northeast for over a decade.

This move to hold military personnel accountable marks a significant step by the Nigerian army in addressing incidents of civilian casualties during military operations, highlighting the challenges of distinguishing between civilian and militant targets in conflict zones.

The court martial not only seeks justice for the victims but also serves as a deterrent against potential operational oversights in future engagements.