Nigerian Military Airstrike Mistakenly Kills Civilians in Zamfara State

The air force claims the operation targeted bandits, but local security personnel and villagers were among those killed, prompting calls for accountability.

A Nigerian airstrike in Tungar Kara, Zamfara State, misidentified local vigilantes and farmers as bandits, resulting in civilian casualties.
Reports from residents suggest at least 15 to 20 people were killed, with over 30 others injured in the incident.
The Nigerian Air Force announced a comprehensive investigation but has faced criticism for a lack of transparency in past cases of civilian deaths during operations.
Since 2017, military airstrikes in Nigeria have reportedly caused the deaths of approximately 400 civilians, including 80 killed in a 2023 religious gathering in Kaduna State.
Rights groups and local leaders have urged President Bola Tinubu and military officials to reform operational protocols and ensure accountability to prevent further civilian harm.