Since 2017, the Nigerian military has killed over 528 civilians in unintentional airstrikes, the majority of which have included women and children. There were 187 documented deaths throughout President Bola Tinubu’s government, compared to 341 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The January 2017 bombing of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Rann, Borno State, which killed 52 people, and the December 2023 bombing in Tudun Biri, Kaduna, which murdered 85 to 127 villagers at a religious celebration, are two notable events.
Operational lapses, poor target identification, and flawed intelligence are key factors that contribute to these tragedies. Retired military officers and analysts emphasise the need for stricter operational controls, better training, and improved intelligence verification; Civil Society groups such as Amnesty International and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have called for thorough investigations, transparency, and targeted actions against terrorists rather than civilians; and despite promises of probes, there has been little accountability or compensation for victims.
Civilians have been a global concern in counterterrorism operations.
To prevent catastrophes in the future, recommendations include reimbursing victims, fostering the growth of impacted areas, and using precision-targeting techniques. Civilians have been a major concern worldwide in the context of counterterrorism operations. In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, for example, American airstrikes since September 11, 2001, are thought to have killed between 22,000 and 48,000 civilians. In Somalia, U.S. counterterrorism strikes killed 34–121 civilians between 2003 and 2021. It is difficult to minimise civilian casualties during military operations, as these numbers demonstrate.
A number of strategies have been suggested by experts to lessen these occurrences. They stress the significance of reliable intelligence and support careful verification prior to action because inaccurate intelligence has frequently resulted in catastrophic effects. To guarantee accuracy in operations, more training in target identification and rigorous adherence to engagement regulations are also advised. Additionally, using cutting-edge surveillance systems can help differentiate between civilians and fighters, minimising unintentional injuries. A foundation for safeguarding civilians in times of armed conflict is provided by international humanitarian law (IHL).
IHL requires that every effort be made to reduce civilian casualties.
Precautions in assault, proportionality, and distinction are important concepts. According to the concept of distinction, participants to a war must always distinguish between combatants and civilians and limit their actions to legitimate military targets. If the expected harm to civilians is greater than the expected military benefit, proportionality forbids assaults. Additionally, IHL requires that every effort be made to reduce civilian casualties during military operations. In Nigeria, people who survived unintentional airstrikes have described terrifying experiences. For instance, a Nigerian Air Force aircraft accidentally struck an internally displaced people’s camp in Rann, Borno State, in January 2017, killing and injuring many civilians.
Witnesses recounted scenes of mayhem and destruction, with communities in mourning and families split apart. Such firsthand testimonies underline the significant human cost of operational failures and the urgency for efforts to prevent their recurrence. The Nigerian military has acknowledged specific incidences of inadvertent airstrikes and made commitments to investigate and prevent such occurrences. President Bola Tinubu urged for a comprehensive investigation after the December 2023 attack in Kaduna State that caused a large number of civilian casualties.
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General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, responded to the requested investigation by promising to deal with those found to be in fault. But according to the most recent reports, there have been few tangible steps taken to help victims, which has prompted calls for more responsibility and transparency. Furthermore, while counterterrorism actions are vital for maintaining national security, minimising civilian casualties requires respect for international humanitarian law and the application of professional advice. Civilians can be more protected in conflict areas by taking into account the experiences of survivors and guaranteeing military responsibility.