In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing trend of deadly airstrikes mistakenly targeting civilians. These tragic errors—often committed by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) during counter-insurgency or anti-banditry operations—have claimed the lives of innocent men, women, and children. What was initially dismissed as rare mishaps has now become a troubling pattern, raising urgent questions about military oversight, intelligence failures, and government accountability.
A military air strike in northwest Nigeria has killed at least 20 people, according to the military and local residents, prompting calls from human rights groups for an investigation into the attack. The strike occurred over the weekend in Zamfara state, one of the regions worst affected by violence from armed groups, commonly referred to as “bandits”.
Attacks by bandits clearly warrant a response from the state, but to launch reckless air strikes into villages – again and again – is absolutely unlawful.
In January, at least 16 vigilantes were killed in a similar strike in Zamfara’s Zurmi district. In December 2022, more than 100 civilians were killed in Mutunji village while pursuing bandits. A year later, an attack on a religious gathering in Kaduna state killed at least 85 people. From Rann in Borno State (2017), where over 100 civilians were mistakenly bombed in a refugee camp, to more recent incidents in Kaduna and Yobe, the toll continues to mount. These are not isolated events. Rather, they are symptoms of a military strategy that appears increasingly disconnected from the realities on the ground. Despite repeated assurances of improved intelligence and precision targeting, the civilian casualty count tells a different story.
One of the most alarming aspects of these incidents is the lack of transparency and accountability. Investigations are often slow, underreported, or shrouded in secrecy. Military officials cite “fog of war” scenarios or “intelligence failures,” yet reforms to prevent recurrence remain superficial. Compensation for victims is rare, and public acknowledgment is often reluctant at best. This systemic failure suggests more than operational error—it points to a governance crisis.
These civilian casualties are not just moral tragedies—they are strategic liabilities. Insecurity in Nigeria is already multi-faceted, from Boko Haram insurgency to banditry and secessionist agitations. Errant airstrikes only serve to deepen grievances, provide propaganda material for insurgents, and complicate the military’s relationship with local communities. The legitimacy of the Nigerian government is undermined when it cannot safeguard the lives of its most vulnerable citizens.
To stop the bloodshed, Nigeria must invest in accurate intelligence gathering, improve coordination between ground and air forces, and implement rigorous oversight mechanisms. Civilian protection must become a non-negotiable priority. The government must also ensure justice for victims and public transparency in military operations. Silence and denial will only deepen the crisis.