The Kalabalge Tragedy

Last Wednesday, Nigeria woke up to the tragic news of the bombing of an IDP Camp (Internally Displaced Persons) in Kalabalge, Rann Town, Bornu State. Apparently, the Nigerian Air Force who dropped three bombs on the camp, mistook it for a Boko Haram haven.

Some of the victims in the camp believe that the bombing was indeed, intentional, as the Kalabalge IDP Camp is not a new camp, but one of the fifteen satellite camps in Bornu State. Is it located in the Sambisa Forest? No, it is located in a remote area between the border of Nigeria and Cameroon, apparently about 200 metres away from a Military Camp Headquarters.

The question is what reason would the Air Force have to intentionally bomb and kill about 100 civilians, including Aid workers from Doctors Without Borders (Medicins San Frontieres), International Committee of Red Cross, IDPs, two soldiers and injure 84 others severely? Was there a virus in their system sending wrong location signals that resulted in the bombing of the wrong location? Or has the Armed Forces been infiltrated by the enemy, in which case the bombing of these innocent people was intentional? Was it human error? Was it non- adherence to procedure? Did it have to do with the weather and visibility? It is our hope that the Probe launched by the House of Representatives will bring forth useful information.

Article 48 of Additional Protocol 1 to the Geneva Conventions (Nigeria is a signatory to the Geneva Conventions) “requires that parties to a conflict distinguish between civilian persons and objects on the one hand, and combatants and military objectives on the other, and that they direct their operations against military objectives (persons or objects) only”. Those involved in conflict must avoid civilian areas like markets, hospitals, schools and so on. Sometimes civilians and their objects may be affected by an attack on a legitimate military objective (collateral damage). But in the case of Kalabalge, it seems that the camp could have been a victim of ‘mistaken target identification’.

There are several precautionary measures provided by the Protocol that those involved in a conflict must take, before they launch an attack on the enemy. One of these precautions is “ to do everything feasible to verify that the objectives to be attacked are neither civilians nor civilian objects and are not subject to special protection, but are military objectives within the meaning of paragraph 2 Article 52 and that it is not prohibited by the provisions of this Protocol to attack them”; did the Air Force carry out this verification before those bombs were dropped?

The Protocol also provides that on discovery that a planned attack will cause the loss of lives or injury of civilians, so much so that such injury or loss “would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated”, such attack should be cancelled or suspended. If this was the consideration when Government did not bomb the Sambisa Forest at some point, because of the likely presence of the Chibok girls there, why was this same consideration not shown in this case?

Even though we certainly do not expect this standard of care from Boko Haram, surely it is expected from our Air Force (and Armed Forces as a whole).

Some are already calling for the criminal prosecution of those involved in the mishap. We must await the outcome of a thorough investigation, which will determine the issue of liability. There has also been a call for swift financial compensation for the victims. Nothing is stopping that.

Of course, in the final analysis, if it is discovered that the bombing was not an accident, surely those responsible must be brought to book.

However, we remain grateful to our Armed Forces, who risk their lives regularly, leaving their spouses, young children, parents and extended families behind, just to protect us and ensure our safety, sometimes paying the ultimate price with their lives, in so-doing.

I would like to thank you for your readership and for your valuable contributions. Below are some opinions from our readers:

Dear Editor,

Always, the down part is the quality of the printing in the lawyers section of THISDAY newspaper, especially the case reporting page immediately after the Editor’s page; it is blurred. It makes reading difficult and causes a non- appreciation of the issues there. This week’s edition has the same problem. Please, tell the Production Manager to be more careful, ensure that every part of the lawyer section is readable. The section is very important to many; serves not for pleasure, but research purposes.

Thanks.

Eric Ogudu, Esq Enugu

Re: The N5,000 Per Month

Dear Editor,

I do not believe in the N5,000 a month stipend. It will just be a drain on the economy. What about transparency in distributing the money? How are we sure that the money will not just end up in the hands of only APC loyalists? Apart from that, N5,000 is too little to make any difference, and it will probably end up being spent in bars on alcohol and even on cheap drugs.

I would advice the government to spend that N5 billion a month setting up functional skills acquisition centres in as many areas as possible, all over the country, and co-operatives, where money can be lent to people for small scale businesses. Or the money could be used to build housing for the poor and those in rural areas.

G.C.O, Lagos

Dear Ikepo,

The government can give N5,000/month, but where would that get anyone, and for how long? Rather than give them fish, train them to go fishing for a lifetime.

I think the best way to start helping the youth is re-orientation. A lot of people are going on to college for courses and degrees that do not have any earning potential and no employable prospect. They graduate and expect to find work!! There are other skill sets that can earn someone an income, rather than ask for a college degree with no future, because the graduates cannot even articulate or comprehend their career goals!!!

The system needs to be overhauled to include training in blue collar jobs where people can be trained to do those jobs.

I remember the days when professional cleaning companies started, look at where that is today? Many people are multi-tasking different roles in companies, doing jobs that should be spread out to others. At the same time, there’s “corporate bullying” where employers have no respect for working hours and time management in an establishment!!! These are the opportunities that can create avenues for shared jobs when others can cover the overlapping shifts, leading to a better work environment.

There also needs to be regulation and accountability. For instance there are a lot of people that can go into the medical field not necessarily as doctors, but NP, CNA, LVN’s. These are positions that have professional transitional titles that are recognised globally, and support the medical system. If the nursing schools and Colleges include these certifications in their curriculum, it would help open up another avenues for career opportunities for both men and women. You can never underestimate the growth potential of the medical field.

Stay blessed Sade Adeneye

Re: Has NYSC Run its Course?

Dear Editor,

You nailed the article. Whether Government is listening and will do anything positive is a different matter.

Thank you.

Sheldon Ekpo

Dear Editor,

I have just read your article online from a This Day publication.

I cannot but agree with you 100 percent, in your thoughtful insight into the plight of young people in Nigeria.

I left Nigeria shortly after my graduation about 13 years ago for further education in the UK. I currently live and work in London, and never had the opportunity to attend the NYSC camp. But as a person who is passionate about youth opportunities in Nigeria, I am also of the view that the NYSC scheme has long lost its value and Nigeria’s youths are being ripped off.

David Borishade