Mon Jan 13 10:00:01 UTC 2025: **Nigerian Airstrike Kills Civilians in Zamfara State**
Abuja, Nigeria – A Nigerian military airstrike targeting armed groups in Zamfara state has mistakenly killed an unspecified number of civilians, according to authorities and local residents. The incident, which occurred in Tungar Kara, involved the deaths of members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilantes who were reportedly mistaken for fleeing bandits.
While the Nigerian Air Force has yet to release a statement, and the government has not disclosed the exact civilian death toll, local resident Salisu Maradun reported that at least 20 bodies were found, with 10 others injured. The Zamfara state government, however, described the airstrike as “successful” in targeting bandits.
This marks the third such incident in just over a year, raising concerns about the accuracy of aerial bombardments in the ongoing conflict in Nigeria’s northwest. SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based research firm, estimates that approximately 400 civilians have been killed in such mishaps since 2017. A similar incident in December 2023 resulted in the deaths of over 80 civilians at a religious gathering in Kaduna state. While the military announced a court martial in May 2024 following a previous incident, the findings of that investigation have not been made public, fueling criticism about a lack of transparency. The ongoing conflict continues to destabilize the northern region of the country.
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