A recent military air strike in northwest Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people, raising serious concerns and calls for an investigation from human rights organizations. The strike took place over the weekend in Zamfara state, an area that has been plagued by violence from armed groups known as "bandits."
According to military officials, the air strike was launched based on intelligence suggesting that a large number of terrorists were gathering and preparing to attack local settlements. Nigerian Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame stated that the bandits had recently killed farmers and abducted civilians, including women and children. However, local residents claim that the strike hit a group of vigilantes who were pursuing the bandits, leading to the tragic loss of life.
Villagers had called for military assistance after suffering an attack by bandits earlier that weekend. However, instead of targeting the armed groups, the military jet mistakenly bombed the vigilantes. Witnesses reported that the air strike resulted in significant casualties among those who were attempting to rescue abducted individuals and recover stolen livestock.
Buhari Dangulbi, a resident of the area, described the situation as a "double tragedy." He explained that while the bandits had attacked their community, the military’s response ended up killing many of the very people trying to defend it. Other residents echoed this sentiment, expressing their grief and frustration over the loss of life and the ongoing threat posed by the bandits.
Amnesty International has condemned the air strike, labeling it as reckless and unlawful. The organization emphasized that while state responses to bandit attacks are necessary, launching indiscriminate air strikes into civilian areas is unacceptable. This incident is not isolated; Nigeria’s military has faced criticism for mistakenly targeting civilians in past operations, including a similar strike earlier this year that killed 16 vigilantes.
The situation in Zamfara state highlights the ongoing challenges faced by communities in Nigeria as they grapple with violence from armed groups and the military’s response to these threats. As calls for accountability grow, many are left mourning the loss of life and seeking justice for the victims.