MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) - A tragic airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force, intended to target jihadi rebels, resulted in the deaths of over 100 civilians, including children, in a local market in northeastern Nigeria. The incident occurred on a Saturday in Yobe state, which is located near the border with Borno state, a region that has experienced a decade-long jihadi insurgency. Human rights organizations and local media reported the devastating consequences of the airstrike, which officials later confirmed was a misfire.
Amnesty International reported that at least 100 people were killed as a result of the aerial attack on the market in Yobe state. Isa Sanusi, the director of Amnesty International Nigeria, mentioned that they have gathered pictures of the victims, highlighting the presence of children among the casualties. The organization has maintained communication with local sources, including hospitals and victims of the strike, to confirm the extent of the tragedy.
A medical worker at the Geidam General Hospital in Yobe reported that at least 23 individuals injured during the incident were receiving treatment. The worker requested anonymity, citing restrictions on speaking with the media. This situation reflects a troubling pattern in Nigeria, where such airstrike misfires are not uncommon.
The Nigerian military frequently conducts air raids against armed groups operating in remote forest areas. Since 2017, reported misfires have resulted in the deaths of at least 500 civilians, according to an Associated Press tally. Analysts have pointed to gaps in intelligence gathering and a lack of coordination among military forces on the ground and in the air as contributing factors to these deadly errors.
The local market struck by the air raid is located near the Borno-Yobe border and is often frequented by members of the Boko Haram insurgent group, who use it to procure food supplies. Abdulmumin Bulama, a member of a civilian security group collaborating with the Nigerian military, stated that intelligence indicated Boko Haram members were close to the market and planning attacks on nearby communities. Bulama noted that the Air Force acted on this intelligence, believing it to be credible.
The Yobe State Government acknowledged the incident in a statement, confirming that the military strike was aimed at a Boko Haram stronghold and that civilians attending the Jilli weekly market were affected. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency also recognized that casualties occurred and dispatched response teams to assist the affected individuals and communities.
In response, the military claimed that the strike successfully targeted a "terrorist enclave and logistics hub," resulting in the deaths of numerous insurgents. They did not address the misfire issue but emphasized that movements of motorcycles in conflict zones are taken very seriously, as they are often associated with insurgent activity.
Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the incident, accusing the military of routinely mislabeling civilian casualties. The ongoing security crisis in Nigeria is compounded by a complex web of insurgencies, particularly in the northern regions, where armed groups engage in kidnappings for ransom.
Two prominent militant groups operating in the area include Boko Haram and its offshoot affiliated with the Islamic State, known as the Islamic State West Africa Province. Additionally, a related group known as the Lakurawa operates in the northwestern part of Nigeria, which borders the Niger Republic. With this latest incident, Nigeria continues to grapple with a multifaceted security crisis that poses significant challenges for its government and people.
