Yes, there have been unfortunate incidents of accidental bombings by the Nigerian military in the past.
NN News Media recalled that one notable incident occurred in January 2017, when a Nigerian Air Force jet mistakenly bombed a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Rann, Borno State.
The airstrike resulted in numerous casualties, including aid workers, and sparked widespread condemnation.
Such incidents underscore the challenges faced by the military in the complex and dynamic conflict environment in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram insurgency has been a major security concern.
In the recent accidental bombing incident in Tudun Biri village, Kaduna State, many villagers were killed while celebrating Maulud.
The Nigerian Army took responsibility for the airstrike after a meeting with the Kaduna Government.
However, a report by Punch revealed that, between September 2017 and 2023, at least 425 people, including children and women, have been killed in military accidental bombings.
The figures were obtained from media reports of mishits by the military, though the actual number may be higher as some cases did not specify the number of victims.
The incidents include accidental bombings in Rann, Borno state (January 2017), Zurmi LGA (April 2019), near the border with Niger (September 2021), Kunkuna village in Katsina (July 2022), Mutumji Community in Zamfara State (December 2022), and three cases in 2023 in Niger State and Nasarawa State, with the latest being the drone airstrike by the Nigerian Army that resulted in the deaths of at least 85 persons.
Accidental bombings are tragic events that highlight the need for careful coordination and precision in military operations to avoid harm to civilians. Military forces often conduct investigations and take measures to prevent such incidents in the future
