Dear Advocate of Reasoning,
On December 4, 2023, a military drone bombed over 100 residents of a village in Kaduna State while hunting down bandits at night. The bomb left many villagers dead and some badly injured.
Although the military claimed it was a mistake, critics, activists, and the citizenry argue that they are culpable for being careless and incompetent. This follows contradictory reports from the military. An army general in Kaduna State had told state officials that the airstrikes followed a precision error by combat drones deployed against armed bandits operating in the area, but the military headquarters in Abuja said the drone command observed the bandits mixed with villagers but dropped the bombs nonetheless.
Following the reports, Nigerians have requested the immediate sack of defence minister Mohammed Badaru Mohammed while claiming that legal action be taken against the military. Shehu Sanni, a human rights activist, says the massacre was not a mistake, as claimed by the military. Equally, Northern lawyers have been threatening to take legal action against both the military and the federal government.
In the wake of this tragic incident and while the saga continues, our hearts go out to the affected communities, and as advocates of liberty, we find ourselves compelled to address the critical need for rebuilding trust between citizens and military entities. The incident raises fundamental questions about the role of the military, the importance of intelligence in operations, and the preservation of innocent lives — values that lie at the core of our libertarian philosophy.
Although, the issue of insecurity has been one of grave concern to well-meaning Nigerians, and in fact, with the high rate of insurgency, Nigerians have lost trust in the security forces of the nation. Insecurity has become a public issue that haunts citizens in different parts of the country. Nigeria is currently plagued by a surge in cybercrime, ritual killings, and abductions. In all of these, a village massacre is the least the Nigerian military needs to find the little trust Nigerians have in it.
Insecurity in Nigeria has reached the point where it is considered the norm in most parts of the country due to its surge. Citizens have lost trust in the system due to the rising rate. To rebuild trust in citizens, the military is saddled with the responsibility of discussing immediate security situations rather than giving inaccurate reports. Accuracy and transparency in reports given by the military will help build an undefeatable system.
In a society that values individual liberties, trust between citizens and military forces is paramount. The mistake has shaken this foundation, and it is incumbent upon us, as proponents of liberty, to advocate for the rebuilding of this trust. Trust is not just a societal glue; it is the bedrock on which the principles of freedom and cooperation thrive.
The incident brings out the pressing need for heightened intelligence in military operations. We therefore emphasize the importance of efficient, targeted intelligence to prevent such errors. A military that respects individual liberties should be precise and discerning, ensuring that the innocent are shielded from harm. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when intelligence falls short.
As Liberalists, we propose a libertarian approach to rebuilding trust — one based on voluntary cooperation and mutual respect. This involves a transparent dialogue between citizens and the military, acknowledging mistakes, and collectively working towards a society where individual liberties are upheld without compromise.
We also advocate for accountability and transparency in the ongoing investigation of the incident. Only through an open and thorough inquiry can trust be rebuilt and there will always be prevention for such tragedies in the future.
We do hope you reason with us on this!
I am Hammed J. Sulaiman, and that’s all from us now. Remember to follow us on X (Twitter) at @liberalistmag for more updates.
(Adeboye Favour contributed to this newsletter)
