NANS raises alarm over repeated civilian deaths in air operations

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Zone E stakeholders forum, has condemned a recent airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force that reportedly struck a busy market along the Borno-Yobe border, killing scores of civilians.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the student body described the incident as “tragic, avoidable, and unprofessional,” alleging that the airstrike mistakenly hit Jilli Market, a crowded weekly trading hub, instead of intended insurgent targets. The forum claimed that as many as 200 people were killed, with dozens others sustaining injuries.

The operation was reportedly conducted under Operation Hadin Kai, a military campaign targeting insurgent groups in the North-East, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.

Signed by its secretary, Zakari Hashim,
NANS criticized what it described as a failure in intelligence gathering, target identification, and operational execution, noting that civilians continue to bear the brunt of errors in military action.

It warned that repeated incidents of this nature raise serious concerns about the safety of residents in conflict-affected communities.

While consoling the families of the victims and those injured in the attack, many of whom are receiving treatment in hospitals in Geidam and Damaturu, it expressed solidarity with residents of affected areas, particularly in Gubio local government council and Geidam local government area.

Acknowledging the efforts of the armed forces in combating insurgency, NANS stressed that the protection of civilian lives must remain a top priority in all military operations.

The group called on the federal government, defence headquarters, and the Nigerian Air Force to launch an independent investigation into the incident, ensure compensation for victims, and implement stronger safeguards to prevent future occurrences.

NANS raises alarm over repeated civilian deaths in air operations