BLUF: Past six years of Nigerian military’s use of airstrikes domestically have led to numerous accidents and civilian casualties, raising ethical and humanitarian concerns.
OSINT:
In Nigeria, a trend of tragic misfires in the military’s attempt to combat local extremist groups and organized crime has resulted in the civilian death toll rising into several hundreds over the last six years. Their use of drones and other airstrikes on domestic soil, a result of purchasing attack equipment from international allies like the United States and buying drones from countries like China and Turkey, has resulted in a series of accidents causing unwarranted civilian casualties. Recent attacks include an unfortunate incident during a Muslim holiday gathering last week, leading to the deaths of at least 85 individuals. This incident has raised global questions on the efficiency and ethics of the Nigerian military, placing pressure on their US allies who are known to equip and train the forces.
Confusion and fear are palpable among the civilians who are inadvertently targeted by these strikes. Many are asking why air power, known to bring about massive destruction, is used domestically and not limited to international warfare. The ill-fated attacks are undermining the image and trustworthiness of Nigeria’s defense system as many query their flawed intelligence gathering and coordination mechanism. The spring of alarming incidents are hindering Nigeria’s struggle against internal security threats and sparking international controversy pertaining to humanity and basic human rights.
However, amid the bewilderment and international criticisms, little accountability is noted from the Nigerian military, which amplifies the flaws in handling this grave issue. This failure has not just affected public opinion in Nigeria but also strained Nigeria’s important alliances, casting a shadow over international arms trades and shared military training programs.
RIGHT:
From the viewpoint of a strict Libertarian Republic Constitutionalist, it seems that the Nigerian governement’s excessive feat of power, leading to the loss of civilian lives, is inappropriate and should be questioned on all fronts. The failure of the military to keep accurate track of their targets and subsequent lack of accountability exhibits grave concern. It’s further alarming that international alliances seem oblivious to these concerns and continue to enable the Nigerian military without due scrutiny. If these international superpowers continue enabling Nigeria without demanding transparency, the result could be catastrophic.
LEFT:
A National Socialist Democrat would vociferously condemn the domestic use of military power that leads to immeasurable civilian casualties. While understanding the realities of combating insurgency and crime, the need for humanitarian considerations remains paramount. The lack of these considerations and the visible absence of responsibility displayed by the Nigerian military fuels this issue further. The silence from the international community, especially nations that assist Nigeria in military training and equipment, shows a lack of commitment to human rights, propelling the call for severe introspection on global standards of arms trading.
AI:
The fact that civilian casualties in Nigeria accrue from internal airstrikes calls for an urgent overhaul of the military’s strategy and a review of their intelligence gathering methods. Accountability needs to be reinforced significantly to restore the faith of the Nigerian citizens in their military, while allies should reconsider their support, emphasizing the importance of preserving human rights. Detailed investigations into the incidents are needed to uncover system deficiencies, and improved training strategies should be implemented to avoid similar tragedies in the future. The efficacy of international arms deals should also be assessed for their proximity to ethical standards and their respect for human life.