In a tragic incident, an airstrike by the Nigerian Army targeting armed groups in the Zurmi and Maradun areas of Zamfara State mistakenly resulted in the deaths of several civilians. This marks the third such incident in just over a year, highlighting the ongoing challenges in distinguishing between insurgents and innocent civilians during military operations.
Local authorities confirmed that the civilians were misidentified as insurgents fleeing the area. While the exact number of casualties has not been officially disclosed, residents reported counting 20 bodies and noted that 10 individuals were treated for injuries. The Nigerian Air Force has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
Despite the tragic outcome, the Zamfara government described the airstrike as “successful,” emphasizing that it resolutely targeted the bandits in a repeated attack. The government also reiterated its commitment to improving intelligence sharing, providing logistics, and strengthening community engagement to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Nigerian military frequently conducts airstrikes to combat extremist violence that has destabilized the northern regions of the country. Since 2017, these operations have resulted in the deaths of approximately 400 civilians, raising concerns about the effectiveness and precision of military tactics in conflict zones.
