Amnesty International has demanded an immediate, transparent, and impartial investigation into the Nigerian military airstrike that reportedly killed at least 10 civilians in Zakka village, Safana Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the global human rights organization condemned the attack, describing it as part of a disturbing pattern of unlawful killings linked to military air operations across northern Nigeria. Amnesty International accused the Nigerian military of failing to prioritize civilian protection, leading to avoidable loss of innocent lives.
Amnesty International noted that the latest incident in Katsina State adds to a growing list of deadly military airstrikes that have resulted in civilian deaths in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina States.
The organization emphasized that such incidents violate international humanitarian law, which requires armed forces to distinguish between combatants and civilians and take all necessary precautions to prevent collateral damage.
“The Nigerian authorities must ensure that military operations respect human rights and adhere to international laws,” Amnesty International stated.
“These airstrikes, which have led to significant civilian casualties, must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable.”
The rights group further called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take decisive action in addressing these recurrent military airstrikes.
It urged the government to conduct independent, impartial, and effective investigations into the recent deadly attacks and ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families.
Amnesty International stressed that those responsible for unlawful killings—whether individual soldiers, commanding officers, or senior military officials—must be prosecuted in fair trials.
The organization insisted that there should be no impunity for military personnel involved in human rights violations.
The statement also urged Nigerian authorities to issue clear directives to the military to prevent further indiscriminate airstrikes, ensuring that all operations align with human rights standards and international best practices.
This latest call for an investigation into military airstrikes comes amid growing concerns over the conduct of security forces in counterinsurgency operations.
Over the years, several reports have alleged that Nigerian military airstrikes have killed scores of civilians—mistaken for insurgents or caught in indiscriminate bombardments.
In previous cases, the Nigerian military has often justified airstrikes as part of its broader strategy to combat insurgency and criminal groups, particularly in the northern region.
However, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have consistently called for greater oversight, transparency, and accountability in military operations to prevent further loss of civilian lives.
As of now, the Nigerian government and military authorities have yet to respond to Amnesty International’s latest demands.
However, rights groups and civil society organizations continue to pressure the government to ensure accountability and justice for victims of military actions.
Amnesty International reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation and called on the Nigerian government to act swiftly in addressing the human rights concerns surrounding its military operations.
The international community is also expected to watch closely how Nigerian authorities handle the issue, as repeated human rights violations by security forces could impact the country’s global reputation and diplomatic relations.
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