The recent tragic drone strike in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has intensified concerns over civilian casualties caused by Nigerian security agencies in the fight against insurgents and bandits.

The incident, which occurred last week, resulted in a significant number of casualties during an Islamic festival celebration.

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While the Nigeria National Emergency Management Agency initially reported a death toll of 85, some sources suggest that the actual number may exceed 120, with conflicting reports on the exact figure.

This latest incident has brought the total number of Nigerians mistakenly killed by security agencies to around 400, according to reports.

The casualties include those from previous misfiring incidents, notably documented in a February 2023 report by SBM Intelligence, a research organization that specializes in data compilation and analysis.

The report reveals that between January 2017 and January 2023, the Nigerian military erroneously killed over 300 innocent Nigerians in various incidents, primarily in the Northern part of the country where insurgent groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), and bandits operate.

The incidents mentioned in the SBM Intelligence report include several instances in different states, such as Borno, Niger, Zamfara, Yobe, Nasarawa, and the recent tragedy in Kaduna.

Notable cases include the mistaken bombing of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Borno in January 2017, the killing of wedding guests in Niger State in June 2021, and an airstrike in Zamfara in December 2022 that mistakenly killed about 64 persons.

Reacting to the Tudun Biri incident, controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi raised concerns, alleging that the bombing may not have been a mistake, citing similar unreported incidents in remote villages. Gumi emphasized the need for peaceful negotiations rather than a military approach to conflict resolution.

In response to the tragedy, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the accidental bombing.

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HURIWA urged the Nigerian government to identify the victims and their families for compensation, while also calling on the military to implement measures to prevent such operational errors and protect civilian lives.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed plans by the Federal Government to rebuild Tudun Biri village, providing compensation through the Pullako Initiative, including houses, clinics, schools, veterinary clinics, empowerment initiatives, and solar energy.

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The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for accountability, investigations, and measures to prevent future accidental bombings of civilians in the country.