The Nigerian Government on Tuesday apologized over the death of about 64 people reportedly killed in an airstrike by a Nigerian military plane on Sunday at Mutumji Community in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Most of the victims were civilian residents of the community.
The victims, including women and children, were killed when a plane bombed the community while chasing fleeing bandits who reportedly invaded the town. The Nigerian Air Force reportedly responded to distress calls on Saturday and Sunday from locals following armed bandits’ attack on Malele, Ruwan Tofa, and Yan-Awake communities in the area. Residents said the attack on the three neighbouring communities was foiled by the air raids which forced the gunmen to flee into the neighbouring Mutumji community for safety.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday described the incident as unfortunate. He said: “In respect of the unfortunate collateral deaths in Zamfara state, I think the federal government regrets this. Fighting insurgency is a very difficult thing. And as much as the air force or the military are careful, once in a while, it does happen. That innocent people actually also suffer. We will regret it.
“But I think is the nature of fighting insurgency and the military are very, very careful, especially the Air Force and the army when trying to contain insurgency not to, allow innocent lives to be killed. The Air force regrets it, we regret it. But unfortunately once in a while it happens.”
Background
Incidents of the bombing of civilian targets by the Nigeria military have been frequently reported in the Nigerian media. The Nigerian Air Force(NAF) has been accused of targeting the civilian population in conflict areas. An accusation it often denies. This is the first time the Nigerian government has openly admitted to the death of civilians in the military bombing.
In October, the Nigerian Airforce(NAF) constituted a committee to compile all allegations of accidental air strikes on civilians as well as review the circumstances leading to such strikes.
On January 17, 2017, a NAF jet mistook a displaced persons’ camp in Rann, Kala Balge LGA of Borno State, killing about 53 civilians, including six Red Cross workers, and injuring over a hundred persons.
In September 2021, Buwari Village in Yunusari LGA, Yobe state was also ‘mistakenly’ bombed by the NAF in an incident where nine civilians were killed and dozens injured.
In mid-April 2022, NAF Jet fighters bombed the Kurebe community in the Shiroro area of Niger State killing many civilians including children
On July 6, 2022, a NAF fighter jet “mistakenly” bombed civilians in Kakuna village of Katsina State, killing at least one person and injuring dozens of others.
