Amnesty International demands probe into alleged Nigerian Army airstrike in Yobe that killed civilians

ABUJA, Nigeria, 12 April 2026 (NPA) — Amnesty International Nigeria has called on authorities to investigate an alleged Nigerian military airstrike that reportedly killed more than 100 civilians in Jalli Futchimiram, Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty condemned the strike, citing witness accounts that three military jets fired on a market, noting that Geidam General Hospital’s emergency ward has reportedly received at least 35 people with severe injuries. 

The rights group described the attack as “unlawful, outrageous, and a shocking disregard for civilian lives,” stressing that air raids are not a legitimate law enforcement method.

The Nigerian military, however, maintains that the operation was a precision strike against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists planning attacks on troops in the corridor. Officials, in a statement, insist due process was followed and deny civilian casualties.

The alleged Yobe incident has intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s military operations, recalling a troubling history of mistaken strikes:

• January 2017 – Rann, Borno State: An airstrike on an IDP camp killed over 115 civilians, including aid workers.
• September 2022 – Zamfara State: A raid targeting bandits struck a village market, leaving at least 20 dead.
• January 2023 – Nasarawa State: A strike killed 39 herders in Doma LGA, sparking national outrage.
• December 2023 – Kaduna State: A drone strike mistakenly hit civilians during a religious gathering, killing more than 80 people.

Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to conduct an impartial investigation and hold perpetrators accountable. Civil society groups and commentators have echoed the call, warning that repeated targeting errors erode public trust and fuel resentment in conflict‑affected communities.

The incident heightens the need for reforms in military operations to safeguard civilians while combating Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents in the northeast.