Nigerian fighter jets killed 20 local guards during weekend attacks against criminal gangs across Zamfara state. Military pilots mistook volunteer fighters for bandits and bombed them between two villages. Three local people confirmed the death count after speaking with survivors from the tragic incident. Armed criminals had raided Mani and Wabi villages earlier and stolen cattle before kidnapping dozens of residents. Community members gathered weapons and chased the bandits to rescue their neighbors and animals.
Military aircraft arrived to help the villagers after security forces received emergency calls about the raids. Pilots spotted the volunteer group moving through the countryside and attacked them thinking they were criminals. Buhari Dangulbi lives nearby and said bandits took people and cows before jets killed those trying to help. Fighter planes have mistakenly bombed civilians many times during recent years across northern Nigeria. Amnesty International wants government leaders to investigate the attack and stop careless bombing of villages.
Criminal groups have terrorized northwestern Nigeria for years and operate across huge areas with little government control. Military bombing campaigns against bandits and religious extremists often kill innocent people caught between the fighting sides. Zamfara state has experienced three similar mistaken attacks from military aircraft during the past two years. More than 100 people died during December 2022 when jets bombed Mutunji village during bandit operations. January 2017 saw 112 civilians killed when planes struck a refugee camp near the Cameroon border.
Military aircraft arrived to help the villagers after security forces received emergency calls about the raids. Pilots spotted the volunteer group moving through the countryside and attacked them thinking they were criminals. Buhari Dangulbi lives nearby and said bandits took people and cows before jets killed those trying to help. Fighter planes have mistakenly bombed civilians many times during recent years across northern Nigeria. Amnesty International wants government leaders to investigate the attack and stop careless bombing of villages.
Criminal groups have terrorized northwestern Nigeria for years and operate across huge areas with little government control. Military bombing campaigns against bandits and religious extremists often kill innocent people caught between the fighting sides. Zamfara state has experienced three similar mistaken attacks from military aircraft during the past two years. More than 100 people died during December 2022 when jets bombed Mutunji village during bandit operations. January 2017 saw 112 civilians killed when planes struck a refugee camp near the Cameroon border.
