The deaths of more than 120 people in Tundun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna could have been averted had the Nigerian Army adhered to the security advice from their Nigerian Air Force counterparts.
Over 120 lives were reported dead and more than 60 injured after the army drone bombed villagers celebrating Maulud on Sunday night.
However, a source conversant with officials in both the army and the air force said what happened in Tudun Biri could have been avoided.
“Before dropping the bomb on the Maulud celebrants, some army officials actually hinted at some air force officials and they were cautioned on the grounds that the gathering did not seem to be that of terrorists.
“They told them (army) that terrorists don’t converge in large numbers within a community. Also, wherever you see terrorists or bandits coming together, you will see many motorcycles. There were no motorcycles at the site of the Maulud on that day…It was really unfortunate,” the source said.
The NAF officers maintained that they (air troops) have more adequate training and equipment to carry out air operations “with precision” than many other services in the military.
“Every service or security agency has its dedicated role(s) even though all of us underwent the same training. The truth is, air troops are more conversant with air operations than any other troops whether in flying of drones or attack helicopters”, one of the NAF officers said.
But some army officers argued that there was “no big deal” in flying drones to fight enemies, adding that this was not the first time they would be flying it (drones).
“The fact that we made a mistake this time around doesn’t mean we are not capable of flying a drone against enemies. We’re capable and we have the capabilities to fly it,” the army officer said.
