Nigeria has announced the opening of an independent investigation after a military airstrike that killed at least 200 people in the northeast of the country, while defending an operation presented as targeting insurgent groups.
The raid, which occurred on Saturday in the town of Jilli, in the Gubio district, struck an area including a market, causing heavy civilian casualties. Authorities say the region is controlled by Islamist militants and considered a high-risk enclave.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris expressed his condolences for the civilian casualties, while asserting that the air force had targeted "confirmed terrorist objectives." He also specified that the investigation would focus on the planning and execution of the operation.
This incident is part of a protracted conflict in northeastern Nigeria, where front lines remain blurred and civilians often find themselves trapped between security forces and insurgent groups.
Human rights organizations have warned of the high risks of such operations in disputed areas, where markets and supply routes are frequently used by both combatants and local populations.
Faced with this criticism, the Nigerian government is seeking to maintain a balance between fighting insurgents and protecting civilians. The announced investigation should help determine responsibility and assess any potential errors in this controversial operation.
Community
Comments
Comments are open, but protected against spam. Initial posts and comments containing links undergo manual review.
Be the first to comment on this article.