At least 16 civilians were killed in a military air strike in Nigeria's north-western Zamfara State, with local residents reporting that the victims were mistakenly targeted as criminal gangs. The tragedy occurred during operations aimed at combating armed groups notorious for kidnapping and terrorizing communities.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) confirmed conducting air strikes in the Zurmi and Maradun areas, stating that they dealt "a decisive blow to bandits terrorizing villages." However, the NAF acknowledged reports of civilian casualties and announced an ongoing "comprehensive investigation" into the incident.

Governor Dauda Lawal extended his condolences to the affected communities, while witnesses claimed the victims were local vigilante members and civilians defending themselves from the bandits. According to Sa'idu Ibrahim, a local resident, villagers had been returning home after repelling bandits when they were bombed. "We recovered 16 bodies and took several injured people to the hospital," Ibrahim said.

Rights group Amnesty International Nigeria reported a higher death toll of 20, with dozens injured in the attack on Tunga Kara village. The organization criticized the military’s actions, calling the use of air raids "unlawful" and evidence of a "shocking disregard for the lives" of civilians. Amnesty urged an impartial investigation into the incident.

The Nigerian military has faced similar incidents in recent years, with reports of accidental air strikes causing civilian casualties. These include a Christmas Day attack in Sokoto State that killed at least 10 civilians and a 2023 incident in Kaduna State where 85 civilians attending a religious gathering were killed. In 2017, a jet struck a displacement camp near the Cameroonian border, killing 112 people.

As Nigeria continues its fight against criminal gangs in the region, the repeated loss of civilian lives has sparked calls for greater accountability and stricter operational oversight to protect innocent communities.