The Nigerian military has killed at least 16 civilians in the country’s north-western Zamfara State after mistaking them for criminal gangs, BBC reported Monday.
The residents, who were killed in a military air strike, were members of local vigilante groups and civilians protecting themselves from armed gangs, locals said.
These armed gangs have in recent years caused mayhem in north-west and central states, abducting people for ransom, killing others while torching homes.
The recent air strikes were targeted at militant gangs in Zurmi and Maradun areas and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it was investigating “reports of vigilante losses”.
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“While the operation successfully eliminated several bandits and led to the recovery of some kidnap victims, the NAF views with grave concern reports of the loss of civilian lives in the course of the operation,” it said in a statement.
It said a “comprehensive investigation” was ongoing into the matter and the results would be “communicated to inform and reassure the public”.
Rights group Amnesty International Nigeria said at least 20 people have died and dozens of others injured in the attack on Tunga Kara village. It urged authorities to “immediately and impartially” investigate the incident.
“Launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method by anyone’s standard. Such reckless use of deadly force is unlawful, outrageous and lays bare the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect,” it said in a statement.
Last year, about 85 civilians mistaken for bandits were killed while attending a Muslim religious gathering at a village in Kaduna state.
