On Sunday, December 3, a horrific scene unfolded in a village in Kaduna State, Nigeria, where a bomb was dropped on a crowd of innocent civilians celebrating a local festival. The blast killed more than 80 people, and injured many more. The villagers were not armed, nor were they involved in any criminal activity. They were simply attending a Maulud, unaware of the impending doom.
The bomb was not planted by terrorists, nor was it a result of a technical error. It was deliberately deployed by the Nigerian military, who later admitted that they had mistaken the villagers for bandits. The military said that they had received intelligence that bandits were gathering in the area, and that they had acted in self-defence. They also said that they regretted the loss of lives and that they would investigate the incident and punish those responsible.
However, these excuses are not enough to justify the atrocious act that the military committed. The military violated the fundamental right to life of the villagers, as guaranteed by section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Section 33 states that every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.
The section also provides some exceptions where the use of force that results in death is permissible, such as for the defence of any person from unlawful violence, for the purpose of effecting a lawful arrest, or for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny. However, none of these exceptions apply to the case of the Kaduna massacre, as the villagers were not posing any threat to the military or anyone else, nor were they resisting arrest or engaging in any violent or unlawful activity. The military acted on faulty intelligence, without verifying the identity of their targets, and without following the rules of engagement. They used excessive and disproportionate force, and showed no regard for the sanctity of human life.
The Kaduna massacre is not an isolated incident, but a symptom of a deeper problem that plagues the northern part of Nigeria. The region has been ravaged by insecurity, violence and instability for years, as various armed groups, such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and bandits, have terrorized the population, killing, kidnapping, and extorting civilians.
The government has failed to protect the people from these threats, and has often resorted to heavy-handed and indiscriminate tactics that have caused more harm than good. The military has been accused of committing human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and detention, against suspected insurgents and civilians alike. The government has also failed to address the root causes of the conflict, such as poverty, unemployment, inequality, corruption, and poor governance, that have fueled the grievances and frustrations of the people. The government has also failed to provide justice and accountability for the victims of violence, and to ensure the rule of law and respect for human rights.
The Kaduna massacre is a crime against humanity, and it should not go unpunished. The government should conduct a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident, and bring the perpetrators to justice. The government should also compensate the families of the victims, and provide them with medical, psychological, and social support. The government should also review its security strategy and policies, and ensure that the military adheres to the principles of necessity, proportionality, and distinction, when using force. The government should also engage in dialogue and reconciliation with the communities affected by the conflict, and address their legitimate demands and aspirations. The government should also invest in the development and welfare of the people, and promote peace and stability in the region.
The Kaduna massacre is a tragedy that should never happen again. The people of Nigeria deserve to live in dignity, freedom, and security, and to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms. The government has a duty to protect and serve the people, and to uphold the constitution and the law. The government should not be the enemy of the people, but their ally and protector. The government should not kill the people, but save them. The government should not bomb the people, but build them.
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