The Nigerian army has killed at least 72 people, including many civilians, in a bombing at the bustling market of Tumfa in the Zamfara state. Garba Ibrahim Mashema reported that some bodies were “unrecognizable.”
“Inhabitants of the communities of Kwashabawa, Birane, Kware, Gangara, and Manawa were affected by the airstrike,” said a community leader. “So far, we have recovered 72 bodies and the injured have been taken to hospitals in the towns of Zurmi and Shinkafi,” he added.
The Nigerian branch of Amnesty International reported “at least 100 civilians” killed, while a resident claimed 117 deaths.
“To be honest, the market of Tumfa is controlled by bandits. It’s their territory: anyone who goes there knows they are entering enemy territory,” emphasized the resident.
In a statement on Sunday, the army said they carried out ground and aerial operations following credible intelligence about a high-level meeting of notorious terrorist leaders in the region.
“The intelligence reports confirmed that the terrorists were gathered in a hidden location in the village of Tumfa,” the army added.
In the same day, at least 13 civilians were killed by an army airstrike in the Niger state. The military claimed they targeted “terrorists.”
“It was not intentional. I offer my condolences to the families of the victims and ask for their forgiveness for what happened,” explained a local government official.
In another incident, “bandits” killed 30 travelers on the Magami-Dansadu road in Zamfara state. Information about the army’s operations and attacks from the armed groups they fight often take days to emerge from isolated rural areas.
In the past, airstrikes in Nigeria have led to civilian casualties, with investigations often yielding no concrete results.
