NANS Sounds the Alarm: Urgent Call for Accountability Amid Rising Civilian Casualties in Air Operations

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Zone E stakeholders forum, has denounced a recent airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force that allegedly struck a bustling market along the Borno-Yobe boundary, resulting in the deaths of many civilians.
In a declaration made on Sunday, the student organization labeled the event as “heartbreaking, preventable, and unprofessional,” claiming that the airstrike inadvertently impacted Jilli Market, a packed weekly commerce center, rather than the aimed insurgent positions. The forum asserted that as many as 200 individuals lost their lives, with numerous others sustaining injuries.

The operation was reportedly carried out under Operation Hadin Kai, a military initiative aimed at insurgent factions in the North-East, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.

Signed by its secretary, Zakari Hashim,
NANS criticized what it termed a deficiency in intelligence gathering, target identification, and operational implementation, pointing out that civilians consistently face the consequences of miscalculations in military undertakings.

It cautioned that recurrent incidents of this kind evoke serious worries about the safety of inhabitants in conflict-affected areas.

While extending condolences to the families of the victims and those injured in the incident, many of whom are currently receiving medical care in hospitals in Geidam and Damaturu, it expressed solidarity with residents of the impacted regions, particularly in Gubio local government council and Geidam local government area.

Recognizing the efforts of the armed forces in tackling insurgency, NANS underscored that safeguarding civilian lives must remain a paramount concern in all military operations.

The group urged the federal government, defense headquarters, and the Nigerian Air Force to initiate an independent inquiry into the incident, ensure reparation for victims, and implement more robust measures to avert future occurrences.