Military Clarifies Drone Attack on Kaduna Community: Emphasizes Counterterrorism Efforts

In a recent statement released by the Defence Headquarters, the military has provided clarification regarding the drone attack on Ligarma community in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State that occurred on Sunday. According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the operation was conducted in response to intelligence on terrorist activities in the region.

The Nigerian Army’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) detachment reportedly detected the movement of terrorists in the terrorist-infested area of Ligarma around 2200hrs on Sunday. Aerial surveillance revealed groups of individuals employing tactics and strategies consistent with known terrorist activities.

Major-General Buba highlighted that the observed advancement of the terrorists posed a significant threat to key infrastructure in the area. In response, the military took action to eliminate the perceived threat, aiming to prevent the terrorists from carrying out attacks on innocent civilians.

The statement emphasized the military’s commitment to distinguishing between civilians and terrorists, acknowledging the unfortunate reality that terrorists often embed themselves within civilian populations. Despite the challenges, the military asserted its dedication to minimizing civilian casualties during operations.

Major-General Buba expressed the military’s perspective on civilian deaths, stating, “The military views every civilian death in the cause of operations as a tragedy,” and emphasized that such tragedies are both needless and unwanted. He reassured the public that extensive measures are taken to avoid civilian casualties.

It is worth noting that despite the military’s clarification, the Nigerian Army had previously denied involvement in the incident that resulted in the tragic loss of over 100 villagers’ lives. The situation raises questions about the complexities of counterterrorism efforts and the delicate balance between protecting civilian lives and combating security threats.