Nigeria Rights Body Calls for Probe into Civilian Deaths in Military Airstrikes

Nigeria’s national human rights body has called for an immediate investigation into repeated reports of civilian deaths linked to military airstrikes in parts of the country.

The National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria on Thursday urged the military to carry out a “thorough and prompt” probe into what it described as recurring civilian casualties during security operations.

The commission said growing reports of deaths and injuries from airstrikes have raised concerns about whether military operations are complying with both humanitarian and human rights laws.

The call follows allegations by Amnesty International that at least 100 civilians were killed during a Nigerian military airstrike on a crowded market in Zamfara State last weekend.

According to Amnesty International, witnesses reported that the attack occurred in a remote area in northwestern Nigeria and marked the third similar incident reported since April.

The Nigerian military, however, has denied claims of civilian casualties, stating that there is no evidence to support the allegations.

Nigeria has increasingly relied on air operations in conflict-prone regions, particularly in the northeast where troops are battling insurgents, and in the northwest where armed gangs and extremist groups continue to operate.

Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, questioned why such incidents continue to occur and called for greater accountability.

Separately, Volker Türk also expressed concern over reports of civilian deaths in Zamfara and urged Nigerian authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation.

The latest incident comes weeks after another reported airstrike on a market in northeastern Nigeria, which also resulted in multiple deaths and prompted an ongoing military investigation.

Under Nigerian law, the National Human Rights Commission has the authority to investigate alleged abuses and recommend prosecution where necessary.