Amnesty International has condemned a military airstrike that mistakenly killed at least 20 vigilantes and wounded dozens in Zamfara State, demanding a full and transparent investigation into what it called a serious violation of human rights.
The tragedy occurred over the weekend when armed bandits launched an assault on Mani community in Maru Local Government Area.
According to security analyst Bakatsine, local vigilantes had gathered in response to the attack when a military aircraft, reportedly deployed for support, mistakenly bombed them.
In a statement posted Monday, June 2, via its official X handle, the human rights watchdog said, “The Nigerian authorities must transparently investigate the military air strike that killed 20 people and wounded dozens at Maraya and Wabi in Maru LGA of Zamfara state. Victims of the air strike were vigilantes who gathered to confront bandits that attacked their villages.”
The organisation highlighted a disturbing pattern of similar deadly incidents involving the military in the same region.
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“In January a military air strike killed 16 members of community guard at Tungar Kara of Maradun LGA Zamfara State.
“Air strikes with high numbers of unlawful killings have become the latest in a long list of gross human rights violations perpetrated by the Nigerian military.”
Amnesty said residents of the affected villages described “terrifying scenes as aircraft opened fire on their villages.”
While acknowledging the need to tackle insecurity, it warned that such actions were unacceptable.
“Attacks by bandits clearly warrant a response from the state, but to launch reckless air strikes into villages — again and again — is absolutely unlawful.”