One year after a devastating drone strike by Nigeria’s military claimed 85 lives during a religious festival in Tudunbiri, Kaduna State, survivors continue to grapple with their loss and seek justice. The strike, described by military officials as a "failure of intelligence," turned a joyous celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday into a night of horror.
Among the victims was seven-year-old Habeebah Abdulrasheed, whose father, Masud Abdulrasheed, a local teacher, organized the festival known as Maulud. Recalling the fateful night of December 3, 2023, Mr. Abdulrasheed said the first bomb hit a tree where women and children were seated. As villagers gathered to assist the injured, a second bomb struck, claiming more lives.
"There is nothing more devastating than seeing people you invited for a celebration meeting their end," Mr. Abdulrasheed said. He buried his daughter and other victims in a mass grave, describing the tragedy as a pain that lingers. Four-year-old Zaharau, his second daughter, survived with a shrapnel wound that remains unhealed due to inadequate post-discharge medical care.
The Nigerian military has expressed regret over the incident. "The armed forces regret that incident. And if we could bring the lives lost back, we would," said Maj-Gen Edward Buba, a military spokesperson. Two personnel are being court-martialed in connection with the tragedy, while the military works on improving intelligence and operational protocols to prevent similar errors.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized Nigeria’s track record on air strike errors, with researcher Anietie Ewang noting that over 500 people have been killed in 17 accidental strikes since 2017. HRW is urging for more robust accountability and transparency in addressing such tragedies.
Financial compensation was provided to affected families, with 2.5 million naira ($1,500) allocated for each deceased victim and 750,000 naira ($500) for injured survivors. However, many feel this support is insufficient. Survivors like 20-year-old Aisha Buhari, who lost three brothers and suffers from a still-painful arm wound, say the funds barely cover medical expenses.
"I usually buy drugs at a pharmacy to dress the wound because that’s all I can afford to do now," Ms. Buhari said, pleading for further assistance to regain the use of her arm.
Despite the tragedy, the Tudunbiri community has shown resilience. This year, the Maulud festival was held two months earlier and included the inauguration of a new mosque built on the bomb site as compensation. Mr. Abdulrasheed now serves as the mosque’s imam, though the memories of the tragedy continue to haunt him.
"We are happy about the new mosque, but we can never forget what happened," he said.
The government has also initiated development projects, including a hospital and a skills acquisition center. However, these efforts have not been without controversy, as some villagers claim their farmland was confiscated without adequate compensation for these projects.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has pledged to address the community’s ongoing needs. "I will personally go back to Tudunbiri and ensure that those who still need treatment get it," he said, promising to resolve land disputes and ensure fair compensation.
As Tudunbiri rebuilds, the scars of December 3, 2023, remain fresh for its residents. Survivors like Mr. Abdulrasheed hope for lasting solutions and a commitment from authorities to ensure such tragedies are never repeated. "No amount of money can bring back my daughter or others we lost," he said. "We will always remember them."