At least 20 people have been killed in a Nigerian military air strike in the country’s northwest, sparking outrage from residents and human rights groups who are calling for a full investigation.
The air strike took place over the weekend in Zamfara State, a region plagued by relentless violence from armed groups locally known as “bandits.” The Nigerian military said the attack was based on intelligence reports indicating that armed fighters were gathering to launch assaults on nearby villages.
According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the military received reports that the bandits had earlier killed farmers and abducted civilians, including women and children. He confirmed that two vigilante fighters were killed and two others injured in the crossfire during the operation.
However, residents told a different story.
Speaking to international news agencies, including AFP and Reuters, villagers said a group of local vigilantes—who had been pursuing bandits that raided their communities—were mistakenly bombed by a Nigerian Air Force jet.
“We were hit by a double tragedy,” said Buhari Dangulbi, a resident of the affected area. “Dozens of our people and several cows were taken by bandits, and those who went after them were attacked by a fighter jet. It killed 20 of them.”
Locals said the incident followed earlier attacks on the villages of Mani and Wabi, in Maru District, where bandits reportedly stole livestock and kidnapped several residents. In response, vigilantes mobilized to retrieve the stolen goods and rescue the captives — only to come under fire from the military.
“The military aircraft arrived and started firing, killing at least 20 of our people,” said Abdullahi Ali, a local hunters’ militia member from Mani, as quoted by Reuters.
Another local, Ishiye Kabiru, confirmed that vigilantes from multiple communities, including Maraya, were involved in the pursuit when the airstrike occurred. Alka Tanimu, also from the area, said villagers would now have to pay ransoms to secure the release of those abducted, while the stolen cattle were unlikely to be recovered.
Amnesty International condemned the air strike, describing it as part of a troubling pattern of reckless military operations in civilian areas.
“Attacks by bandits clearly warrant a response from the state, but to launch reckless air strikes into villages – again and again – is absolutely unlawful,” the rights group said in a statement.
The Nigerian military has a history of mistakenly targeting civilians during counterinsurgency and anti-banditry operations. In January 2025, at least 16 vigilantes were killed in a similar strike in Zurmi district, also in Zamfara. In December 2022, more than 100 civilians died in Mutunji village. A year later, at least 85 people were killed in an air strike on a religious gathering in Kaduna State.
Despite these incidents, accountability remains elusive. Rights organizations and affected communities continue to demand transparency and reforms in the military’s operational tactics.
As of now, no compensation or disciplinary action has been announced for the latest casualties in Zamfara.
With input from Al Jazeera, AFP, and Reuters
