By G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
The tragedy that befell the village of Tudunbiri in northern Kaduna state, Nigeria, a year ago remains a painful memory for Islamic school teacher Masud Abdulrasheed and many others. On December 3, 2023, an accidental drone strike by the Nigerian military killed 85 people, including Abdulrasheed’s seven-year-old daughter, Habeebah. The attack, described by the military as a "failure of intelligence," mistook a religious festival for a gathering of armed jihadists, leaving a trail of devastation and grief in its wake.
For Abdulrasheed, the pain is immeasurable. Habeebah was a loving and caring child who often gave her father gifts, no matter how small. The airstrike targeted an open-air festival, known as Maulud, celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The first bomb exploded near a tree where women and children were gathered, injuring many and killing others. As villagers rushed to assist the wounded, a second bomb struck, causing further carnage. Abdulrasheed vividly recalls the horrifying sight of lifeless bodies scattered across the area, many of whom he had personally invited to the celebration.
The incident left scars beyond the loss of life. Abdulrasheed’s four-year-old daughter, Zaharau, was injured by shrapnel and underwent surgery, but her wounds remain unhealed due to the discontinuation of free medical treatment initially provided by the government. Similarly, Aisha Buhari, a 20-year-old resident, lost three brothers and sustained an arm injury that limits her mobility. Despite compensation provided to some victims, many, like Aisha, feel the support is insufficient to cover ongoing medical needs.
The Nigerian military expressed regret for the incident, acknowledging the complexity of their operational environment and attributing the error to gaps in intelligence and training. In response, two military personnel are being court-martialed, and new measures have been introduced to prevent similar mistakes. However, Human Rights Watch and other organizations have called for greater accountability and more comprehensive justice for victims of such strikes.
Efforts to rebuild Tudunbiri include constructing a mosque over the bomb site, where Abdulrasheed now serves as imam, replacing the former imam who died in the attack. Development projects, such as a hospital and skills acquisition center, are also underway, but not without controversy. Several villagers have reported losing farmland to these projects without compensation, leaving families like that of 50-year-old Hashim Abdullahi struggling to survive.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Kaduna state governor Uba Sani have pledged continued support for the community, including justice and financial aid for victims. Yet, the villagers’ grief remains profound. Abdulrasheed, who received compensation for Habeebah’s death, admits that no amount of money can replace his daughter. As he mourns at the mass grave site, the memories of that fateful night and the loved ones lost linger.
For Tudunbiri’s residents, the scars of the drone strike run deep, symbolizing the broader challenges of military operations in civilian areas. While efforts to compensate and rebuild are underway, the enduring pain of loss and the need for justice highlight the human cost of intelligence failures in conflict zones.
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