Amnesty International condemns killings of civilians in military airstrike
Add us on Google Amnesty International, Nigeria Office, has condemned Saturday’s military airstrike that killed civilians in a border market in the North-east. In a statement posted on X, the rights group said the accidental airstrike killed more than 100 people. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Nigerian Air Force confirmed the incident, but was silent on civilian casualties. According to sources, the airstrike, which targeted insurgents collecting levies at the border market in Jalli, a Yobe community bordering Borno State, killed traders on Saturday evening. Stay Ahead with Premium Times Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting. Add as a preferred source on Google /* 1. 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It called on Nigerian authorities to immediately conduct an impartial investigation into the incident and ensure that suspected perpetrators are held to account. Local authorities have called for blood donations for those who sustained injuries during the strike. READ ALSO: Amnesty International faults authorities after 17 killed in Benue attack Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has described the airstrike as “precision” bombings of terrorists’ locations in the Jilli area. Its spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, an air commodore, said in a statement that the operation was part of the “coordinated air-ground integration operation” with troops of the Nigerian Army after successfully decimating their (terrorists) hideouts in the area. The statement did not acknowledge that civilians were killed in the operation, and Mr Ejodome did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES’ enquiry about that. 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