Photo : Kehinde Gbenga, AP Photo
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Kehinde Gbenga, AP Photo
IN BRIEF
By Narmatha S and Anu Maria Joseph
Nigeria: Accidental army drone strikes kill many civilians
On 4 December, BBC reported that Nigeria's Armed Forces accidentally fired a drone strike on a village in the North-west killing dozens of civilians. They were killed by drones targeting terrorists and bandits in the air strike that took place in Tudun Biri village in the state of Kaduna. Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) stated that “Eighty-five dead bodies have so far been buried while search is still ongoing,” listing children, women and the elderly among the victims. Nigeria's military often conducts air raids as it fights the extremist violence and rebel attacks that have destabilised Nigeria's north for more than a decade, often leaving civilian casualties in its wake. (“Nigeria air strike 'mistakenly' kills worshippers at religious festival,” BBC, 4 December 2023)
Somali: Death toll due to floods rises to 110
On 4 August, BBC Africa quoted the UN OCHA that the death toll due to the ongoing floods in Somalia has risen to 110. According to OCHA, more than one million people have been displaced and nearly 2.4 million people are affected due to the calamity. The agency has warned of the risk of the spread of several diseases including cholera in the states of Hirshabelle and Galmudug. Somalia and neighbouring countries of Kenya and Ethiopia have been experiencing heavy rains for the past week causing widespread casualties and displacement. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the floods are caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon causing extreme weather patterns. (“Somalia floods death toll rises to 110 - UN,” BBC, 4 August 2023)