About 16 villagers were recently killed in a military airstrike in communities in Maradun and Zurmi Local Government areas of Zamfara State. Report said 30 others were injured in the airstrike. They were allegedly mistaken for bandits by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). The airstrike was said to have taken place after the bandits had left the area. The injured were taken to Bako General Hospital and Moriki General Hospital. So far, over 450 Nigerians had been killed in accidental aerial bombings at various communities in the North in the last 11 years.
According to a statement from the Office of the Zamfara State Governor, “regrettably, some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and local vigilantes were also affected during the operation in Tungar Kara, resulting in the loss of lives. The state government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen JTF personnel and assures them that the sacrifices of the deceased will not go in vain. The government will provide necessary support and assistance to the bereaved families.”
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has confirmed that investigation into the accident was underway.
We decry the rising cases of civilian casualties in military airstrikes in some parts of the country and condole with the families of the slain civilians. We urge the Federal Government to adequately compensate the bereaved families and take care of the wounded. It is regrettable that these deaths occurred at a time the villagers paid heed to the call to defend themselves by enlisting in the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG) and Civilian Joint Task Force.
Securing Nigerian territories is primarily the responsibility of Nigerian security agencies. The Zamfara tragedy may be due to failure of intelligence gathering or human error. Military operations take into consideration reconnaissance missions. In the case of airstrike, precision of target is prioritized with no margin for error. With the increasing use of technology in military operations, Nigeria should no longer be recording high number of casualties from military airstrikes. The inability of the airmen to distinguish bandits from civilians defending their communities is worrisome. It shows the missing link between land troops and airmen. Let there be synergy between land troops and airmen for seamless operations.
The death of the local vigilantes in the hands of NAF has the potential to dissuade volunteers in other parts of the country from participating in the fight against banditry and terrorism. We call for more cooperation between the Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilantes and the military for a lasting solution to banditry in the troubled region. Though we commend the military’s renewed onslaught against bandits in Zamfara and other parts of the country, rampant killings of civilians by the military tend to take the shine off the successes achieved.
Personnel of the Nigerian Air Force should be retrained on precision strikes by experts on the field. We recommend that there should be accountability on the part of the military. A probe incorporating external security experts should be carried out on this friendly fire. Erring officers should be recommended for punishment. Personnel who cannot adapt to the demands of precise aerial attacks should be reposted to other departments.
Not less than 18 persons were killed in airstrike at Galkogo, Shiroro Local Government area of Niger State on January 24, 2023. Another airstrike at Rukubi village in Doma Local Government area of Nasarawa State claimed 40 lives on January 25, 2023. In December 2022, no fewer than 60 villagers died in a military airstrike at Mutunji community, Dausadau Emirate in Maru LGA of Zamfara State. Similarly, on December 3, 2023, an accidental military airstrike killed over 100 civilians and injured many others who converged on Tundun Biri, Kaduna State, for Maulud celebration. In September 2024, 24 persons were killed in a military airstrike at Jika da Kolo village in Giwa LGA, Kaduna State. Also, an accidental military airstrike was said to have killed 10 civilians at two villages in Sokoto in December last year.
The frequency of civilian casualties in airstrikes has raised concern on the possibility of having fifth columnists in the military. Therefore, the military should look inwards to rid itself of bad eggs and incompetent personnel as well. We also call for increased precision in airstrikes to avoid the rising deaths from such operations.