Nigeria Denies Civilian Casualties After Airstrike Controversy
Nigeria's military refuted claims that an airstrike killed 100 civilians in a Zamfara market, amid ongoing battles with armed groups in the north. Amnesty International alleges the strike hit civilians, with significant deaths reported. The military maintains civilian safety measures are in place, amidst recurring accidental strikes.
Nigeria's military has firmly denied allegations from Amnesty International claiming that a military airstrike resulted in the death of 100 civilians in a market in the northwestern state of Zamfara.
The human rights organization, in a statement, asserted that the airstrike on Sunday targeted a market in Tumfa, resulting in numerous civilian casualties, including young girls and boys. A Red Cross official corroborated the incident, acknowledging multiple civilian deaths.
The military, however, insists that there is no verified evidence of civilian casualties and emphasized that operations are designed to avoid such incidents. This controversy adds to ongoing criticisms of the military's fight against armed groups like Boko Haram, amid reports of accidental strikes causing civilian deaths.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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