Fresh concerns have emerged over repeated accidental airstrikes by the Nigerian military, with reports indicating that no fewer than 400 civilians have lost their lives in such incidents since 2017.
The development has sparked renewed debate about operational accuracy, intelligence gathering, and civilian safety in conflict zones across northern Nigeria.
Over the years, military operations aimed at eliminating terrorists and bandits have, in some cases, ended in tragedy.
While the military has consistently maintained that its targets were legitimate, several reports suggest that unarmed civilians were caught in the line of fire during these operations.
One of the earliest and most devastating incidents occurred on January 17, 2017. A Nigerian Air Force jet mistakenly bombed an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Rann, Borno State, near the Cameroon border.
At least 115 people were killed in the strike, including humanitarian workers, while over 100 others sustained injuries. The incident drew widespread local and international condemnation.
Years later, similar attacks continued to surface. On December 18, 2022, an airstrike in Mutumji village, Zamfara State, reportedly killed about 64 civilians. The operation was said to be targeting bandits, but villagers were allegedly hit instead.
Another tragic case was recorded on January 24, 2023, in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Around 50 herders were reportedly killed in a military airstrike. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria stated that the victims were attempting to retrieve seized cattle when the incident occurred. However, the Nigerian Air Force insisted it acted on intelligence suggesting terrorist presence in the area.
In December 2023, a drone strike in Tudun Biri village, Kaduna State, claimed the lives of over 100 civilians who had gathered for a Muslim Maulud celebration. Witnesses said the explosion came shortly after the sound of an aircraft was heard. The incident again raised serious concerns about targeting errors during military operations.
More recently, on December 25, 2024, airstrikes in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in Sokoto State reportedly killed at least ten villagers. The operation was aimed at a terrorist group, but local authorities insisted civilians were among the victims.
“The military jets were on their mission to eliminate criminal armed groups terrorizing the state, and mistakenly bombed innocent people of this community,” Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu said after visiting the affected area.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, later acknowledged that the operation hit the communities, though he accused them of harbouring terrorists.
The latest incident occurred on April 11, 2026, when a military airstrike reportedly struck Jilli Market in Yobe State, near the border with Borno. About 50 civilians were feared dead, with several others injured.
Military authorities, however, defended the operation. They described the location as a known logistics hub for ISWAP fighters.
According to Lt. Col. Sanni Uba of Operation Hadin Kai, the strike followed intelligence reports tracking suspected terrorist movements, including motorcycles and gun trucks.
The Nigerian Air Force has since responded to the allegations. In an official statement, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the force takes reports of civilian harm seriously and has initiated an investigation.
He noted that the Chief of the Air Staff has ordered the activation of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell to carry out a fact-finding mission.
Despite these assurances, reactions have continued to trail the incident. Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi questioned the accountability of those involved in such operations. He called on the Senate to investigate what he described as repeated “mistakes” involving civilian areas.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum offered a different perspective. He stated that the Jilli Market had been closed for about five years, suggesting it may not have been an active civilian center at the time of the strike.
The series of incidents has intensified calls for better intelligence, improved targeting systems, and greater accountability within the military. Many Nigerians are demanding concrete steps to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
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