‘More than 100’ killed in army strikes as our bodies ‘blown past recognition’
Amnesty International have claimed more than 100 civilians have been killed in a series of strikes by the Nigerian government as the state attempts to clamp down on extremist groups in the country
Locals have said bodies were ‘blown beyond recognition’ in the strikes(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Around 100 people have been killed in Nigeria during military strikes launched in fighting between armed bandits and the army as locals claim bodies have been “blown beyond recognition.”
Amnesty International has said “at least 100 civilians” were killed in a bloody series of strikes on a number of areas, reportedly controlled by criminal bandits and extremists. The Nigerian military has been accused of killing at least 72 people in recent strikes in the country’s northwestern state of Zamfara.
Many of the victims thought to be dead are civilians, as an airstrike hit a crowded market. The Nigerian military has denied that their strikes claimed the lives of any civilians. A community leader has told AFP that some bodies were “blown beyond recognition” from the horrific strike.
Residents of a nearby village placed the death toll at 117. Garba Ibrahim Mashema, a community leader in the area, put the number of dead lower, at 72. However, the local leader added, “The actual death toll is hard to establish at the moment.”
Aliyu Musa, a resident of Zurmi town, seven kilometres from Tumfa, put the toll at 117. They said: “Everybody, residents and bandits, goes to the market. People are at the mercy of the bandits. There is nothing they can do.”
He added: “Many young girls selling millet porridge and tofu in the market were killed. To be frank, Tumfa market is under the control of bandits. It is their stronghold, any person who goes there knows he is on their turf.”
A statement from the Nigerian military said the army’s attack targeted “terrorist leaders and commanders from across the west African sub-region.”
Defence Headquarters spokesman Major General Michael Onoja has hit back against claims of civilian deaths and said they were simply “not true.”
The Nigerian military’s strikes hit the local government area of Shiroro. The location is known to be home to members of the jihadist group Boko Haram and non-ideologically aligned bandit groups. Shiroro’s local government council chairman Isyaku Bawa has said the alleged civilian deaths were “not intentional.”
The local government council chairman said: “It was not intentional. I commiserate with the family of the victims.”
Local resident John Ezra, of Kusasu village, said the villagers were “not close to the hideout of the terrorists, but our homes were bombed.”
The Nigerian military has said it will investigate the alleged civilian deaths.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here .
