Abuja: Fresh concerns have emerged in Nigeria after a military airstrike reportedly killed more than 100 civilians at a crowded market in the northwestern state of Zamfara. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and renewed public debate about the safety of military operations in civilian areas.
The strike reportedly took place on Sunday at the Tumfa market in the Zurmi district of Zamfara State. Witnesses and local residents said the market was full of traders, women and children when military aircraft appeared over the area. According to survivors, the planes first circled the market before later returning and dropping bombs on the crowded location.
Amnesty International said at least 100 civilians were killed in the attack, though the exact number of deaths has not yet been officially confirmed by authorities. The rights group stated that many of those killed were women and children who had gathered for normal market activities. Several injured people were rushed to nearby hospitals in Zurmi and Shinkafi for emergency treatment.
The Nigerian Red Cross also confirmed that civilians died in the incident. Local officials and volunteers have reportedly been helping families recover bodies and arrange burials in nearby villages. According to Amnesty International Nigeria director Isa Sanusi, dozens of people were buried shortly after the attack, while many more victims were still being identified.
The Nigerian military has admitted carrying out an air operation in the area but denied deliberately targeting civilians. Military spokesperson Major General Michael Onoja said the operation was based on intelligence reports connected to armed bandit groups operating in the region. He added that the military follows strict procedures to avoid harming innocent people and claimed there was no verified evidence supporting the high casualty figures reported by rights organizations.
Northern Nigeria has faced years of violence from armed criminal gangs commonly referred to as bandits. These groups are involved in kidnappings, attacks on villages and mass killings across several states including Zamfara, Kaduna and Sokoto. Nigerian security forces have increased air and ground operations in recent years in an effort to weaken the armed groups.
However, the latest incident has raised serious questions about military intelligence and the protection of civilians during security operations. Rights activists say innocent villagers are increasingly becoming victims of mistaken airstrikes. Amnesty International accused authorities of failing to properly investigate previous cases involving civilian deaths during military campaigns.
This is not the first time such an incident has happened in Nigeria. In recent years, several military airstrikes aimed at armed groups have reportedly hit civilian communities by mistake. Earlier this year, another market bombing in northeastern Nigeria also led to large civilian casualties and prompted calls for an independent investigation.
Security analysts believe the problem is partly linked to the difficulty of identifying armed groups who often hide among local communities. They say better intelligence gathering, stronger coordination between ground troops and pilots, and clearer communication with local residents are urgently needed to prevent similar tragedies.
The incident in Zamfara has also triggered emotional reactions across Nigeria, with many citizens expressing grief and anger over the deaths of ordinary civilians. Religious leaders, community groups and human rights organizations are calling on the government to carry out a transparent investigation and ensure accountability if mistakes were made.
As families continue to mourn their loved ones, pressure is growing on Nigerian authorities to review military operations and improve civilian protection measures in conflict affected regions.