By Rekpene Bassey
In the week starting Sunday, December 3, 2023, Kaduna, Nigeria witnessed a somber chapter in its history, transforming the celebration of Prophet Mohammed’s birthday in Tudun Birni into a night of horror.
Two deadly devices, seemingly launched from a military combat drone, resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives, underscoring once again the challenge of intelligence failure and the pressing need for reform in security operations.
Tudun Birni, situated in the troubled Kaduna general area, has been a hotspot for terrorists, insurgents, and armed bandits, experiencing previous attacks on critical infrastructure such as the Nigerian Defence Army (NDA), Kaduna International Airport, and the Abuja-Kaduna bound train.
Despite the military deployment of combat drones in response to intelligence indicating an impending attack, the unintended shelling of the community occurred, exposing a critical lapse in intelligence assessment.
The aftermath of the Tudun Birni incident was devastating, with conflicting casualty reports – official figures cited 65 dead individuals, while independent sources suggested a much higher toll of nearly 127 casualties.
Major General VU Okoro, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, described the incident as a routine mission against terrorists, acknowledging civilian casualties. This perspective was echoed by Brigadier General Nwachukwu Onyema, the Nigeria Army spokesperson.
In response to the tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conveyed condolences, and Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja visited victims’ families, directing a thorough investigation into the incident.
Speculations point to a failed military intelligence system, with past incidents in Nasarawa state and other states since 2019 demonstrating a persistent failure in intelligence assessment.
The Kaduna incident once again brings to light the severe consequences of intelligence failure, occurring when information is inaccurately analysed or not acted upon appropriately.
The unintended drone shelling in Tudun Birni resulted from a failure to properly assess intelligence about an impending attack, claiming innocent lives and worsening Kaduna’s security situation.
The negative security implications of intelligence failure are far-reaching, including the loss of innocent lives, erosion of public trust, and potential escalation of conflicts. It is imperative to comprehensively review intelligence processes, identify weaknesses, and enhance training, technology, and collaboration among security agencies.
Human resources remain an integral part of intelligence work. Therefore, community participation at this level remains imperative. Engaging local communities in the intelligence-gathering process is vital.
Privileged deep insights and cooperation of community members can provide valuable information, contributing to more accurate threat assessments and proactive security measures.
To prevent such disasters in the future, a collective commitment is needed. Implementing reforms, investing in training and technology, fostering interagency collaboration, ensuring transparency, and actively involving communities are critical steps toward creating an effective, accountable, and trustworthy security apparatus.
The tragic loss of lives in Kaduna due to intelligence failure should catalyse change and inspire a commitment to safeguarding the well-being of the people.
Rekpene Bassey is the President of the African Council on Narcotics (ACON), and also a Security and Drug Prevention Professional
