Nigerian Military Airstrike Mistakenly Kills Civilians in Zamfara
A Nigerian military airstrike intended to target armed rebels in the conflict-ridden northwest tragically resulted in civilian casualties, including members of local security outfits. The incident, which occurred in the Zurmi and Maradun areas of Zamfara State, is the third such misfire in just over a year.
According to Sulaiman Bala Idris, the Zamfara governor’s spokesman, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes were mistakenly identified as fleeing bandits during the operation in Tungar Kara. “Regrettably, some members…were also affected during the operation, resulting in the loss of lives,” Idris stated.
While the Nigeria Air Force has not issued a statement, local residents report that up to 20 civilians were killed, with at least 10 others injured. Despite this, the Zamfara government called the operation “successful,” emphasizing its role in targeting bandits and pledging ongoing support for military efforts.
This latest incident adds to concerns about Nigeria’s reliance on airstrikes to combat insurgency in the northern regions. According to research by SBM Intelligence, air raids have mistakenly killed around 400 civilians since 2017. Notable misfires include a December 2023 incident in Kaduna State, where over 80 civilians died during a religious gathering, and another in May 2024, which resulted in a court-martial for two military personnel.
Rights groups have criticized the military’s lack of transparency in handling such incidents, calling for improved intelligence and accountability to prevent further loss of innocent lives.