Military air strike kills at least 20 people in northwest Nigeria

A military air strike in northwest Nigeria has killed at least 20 people. This information comes from the military and local residents. Human rights groups are calling for an investigation into the attack.

The strike happened over the weekend in Zamfara state. This region is heavily affected by violence from armed groups known as “bandits.”

Nigerian Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame stated that the strike followed intelligence reports. These reports indicated that terrorists were gathering to attack settlements. He added that bandits had killed farmers and abducted civilians, including women and children.

Ejodame also mentioned that two local vigilantes were killed, and two others were injured in crossfire. However, residents told AFP news agency a different story. They claimed a military jet mistakenly bombed local vigilantes pursuing a gang.

Villagers had called in the air force after suffering an earlier attack. Locals reported that many people were wounded in the strike as well.

Buhari Dangulbi, a resident, described Saturday as a day of double tragedy. He said bandits took dozens of their people and several cows. Those who chased the bandits were attacked by a fighter jet, resulting in 20 deaths.

Residents informed AFP that bandits had previously attacked villages like Mani and Wabi in Maru district. They stole cattle and abducted several individuals. In response, vigilantes pursued the bandits to recover captives and livestock.

Abdullahi Ali, a Mani resident and local militia member, said the military aircraft began firing on them. Another resident, Ishiye Kabiru, explained how vigilantes from nearby communities went after the bandits but were struck by a military jet.

Alka Tanimu expressed concern about having to pay ransoms for those kidnapped while losing their cows forever. Amnesty International condemned the air strike and called for a full investigation.

The organization stated that while attacks by bandits require a response, reckless air strikes on villages are unlawful. Nigeria’s military has previously admitted to mistakenly hitting civilians during operations against armed gangs.

In January, at least 16 vigilantes died in another similar strike in Zamfara’s Zurmi district. In December 2022, over 100 civilians were killed while pursuing bandits in Mutunji village. A year later, an attack on a religious gathering in Kaduna state resulted in at least 85 deaths.