By Ayo Kehinde
Amnesty International has condemned a recent military airstrike that mistakenly killed at least 20 vigilantes and injured dozens in the Mani community, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The human rights group called for a full, independent, and transparent investigation into what it described as a grave human rights violation.
In a statement issued on Monday, Amnesty said the victims were vigilante members who had mobilised to confront bandits threatening their villages.
“The Nigerian authorities must transparently investigate the military airstrike that killed 20 people and wounded dozens in Maraya and Wabi communities in Maru LGA, Zamfara State.
The victims were vigilantes who had gathered to defend their villages from bandit attacks,” the organisation said.
While acknowledging the need for robust security measures against banditry, Amnesty warned that the repeated use of airstrikes in civilian areas was unlawful and deeply troubling.
“Attacks by bandits clearly warrant a response from the state, but launching reckless airstrikes into villages—again and again—is absolutely unlawful,” it said.
The organisation also highlighted a disturbing pattern of similar deadly airstrikes in the region, recalling a January incident in which 16 members of a community guard were killed by a military airstrike in Tungar Kara, Maradun LGA of Zamfara State.
“Airstrikes resulting in high numbers of unlawful killings have become the latest in a long list of gross human rights violations committed by the Nigerian military,” the statement added.
Amnesty International urged the Nigerian government to ensure accountability and justice for victims, stressing that indiscriminate military actions only worsen insecurity and erode public
