Tragic Airstrike in Nigeria Mistakenly Targets Civilians, 16 Reported Dead

A military airstrike in Nigeria's northwestern state of Zamfara has resulted in the death of at least 16 civilians after a pilot mistakenly identified local self-defense forces as criminal gangs. The incident occurred on January 12, 2025, when a military jet targeted residents who were mobilizing to confront armed groups that had attacked the village of Dangebe.

According to eyewitnesses, the group was returning home after chasing off the bandits when they were struck by the air raid near Tungar Kara village. Local resident Sa’idu Ibrahim reported that 16 bodies were recovered from the scene, with several others suffering severe injuries requiring hospitalization. Amnesty International has since reported the death toll could be as high as 20 and has called for an immediate investigation into the incident.

The military has been engaged in a long-running battle against armed groups known locally as bandits, who have been terrorizing communities through kidnappings and attacks. This latest airstrike follows a series of similar incidents, including a devastating airstrike in December 2023 that resulted in the deaths of 85 people attending a religious gathering, highlighting ongoing concerns about the military's targeting errors in civilian areas.

The military spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this tragedy.