• The Nigerian air force mistakenly killed civilians during an airstrike targeting armed groups in Zamfara State.
• Local officials reported at least 15 fatalities among community security members misunderstood as bandits.
• This incident marks the third time in over a year that Nigerian military air raids have resulted in civilian casualties.

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — In a tragic error, a Nigerian military airstrike aimed at armed groups in the conflict-ridden northwest has mistakenly killed civilians working with community security forces. As highlighted by officials and residents, the incident occurred over the weekend in the areas of Zurmi and Maradun within Zamfara State, with reports indicating that as many as 20 deaths may have occurred (source: AP News). The state governor's spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, noted that members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilantes were regrettably "mistakenly identified as bandits fleeing" the area during the operation in Tungar Kara.

Although official statements have not confirmed the exact number of casualties, resident Salisu Maradun reported that up to 20 bodies were counted and around 10 people were receiving medical treatment for injuries (source: Al Jazeera). The Nigerian air force has announced an investigation into the incident, committing to "minimise and mitigate any harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure". It insisted that their operation successfully eliminated multiple bandits and dispatched forces to recover some victims of kidnapping.

Despite this purported success, a troubling pattern has emerged with respect to airstrikes in Nigeria. Since 2017, nearly 400 civilians have lost their lives due to military air raids, according to reports from SBM Intelligence. The air force's heavy reliance on bombing campaigns to combat extremist violence continues to raise questions about accountability and the possibility of oversight failures, particularly in light of past incidents where significant civilian casualties were reported, including an event in December 2023 that resulted in more than 80 deaths.

As Nigeria's military grapples with escalating violence from armed groups that carry out kidnappings and terrorize communities, the need for effective operational protocols becomes increasingly vital to prevent further tragedies like the one witnessed in Zamfara. For continued coverage, visit AP News and Al Jazeera.