In a recent incident in north-western Nigeria, at least 16 civilians were killed in an air strike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) that appears to have been a case of mistaken identity. The attack, which took place in Zamfara State’s Zurmi and Maradun areas, was reportedly aimed at criminal gangs notorious for kidnapping people for ransom. However, local residents have claimed that the victims were members of vigilante groups and civilians defending themselves against these very gangs.
The Nigerian military acknowledged conducting the air strikes, which it said targeted bandits terrorizing local villages. A statement from the NAF confirmed that while the operation had successfully neutralized several bandits and led to the recovery of kidnap victims, it was “deeply concerned” about the loss of civilian lives. The Air Force has vowed to conduct a “comprehensive investigation” into the reports of vigilante casualties, with the results to be shared publicly to reassure citizens.
A local resident, Sa’idu Ibrahim, said the civilians had been returning to their villages after successfully chasing off the bandits when they were bombed. Villagers later recovered 16 bodies from the attack and rushed others with severe injuries to the hospital. Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the air strikes, describing the military’s use of air raids in this context as unlawful and reckless. The rights group demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident.
This tragic event is part of a broader pattern of mistakes by Nigeria’s military in the fight against powerful criminal gangs, commonly referred to as bandits. In recent months, there have been several accidental strikes, including a Christmas Day attack that killed 10 civilians in Sokoto state. Human rights organizations continue to urge the Nigerian government to reassess its strategies and take measures to avoid further civilian casualties.
This incident raises serious concerns about the Nigerian military’s operational methods and its commitment to protecting its citizens amidst the ongoing security crisis.
