Nigerian Military Airstrikes Kill Over 100 Civilians in Zamfara State on May 13, Amnesty International Says

According to Amnesty International, Nigerian military airstrikes killed at least 100 civilians on May 13 in the northwestern state of Zamfara. The strikes targeted areas reportedly controlled by armed bandits and extremist groups. Local residents and community leaders reported death tolls ranging from 72 to 117, with some bodies described as ‘blown beyond recognition’ following an airstrike on Tumfa market. The Nigerian military denied that its strikes claimed civilian lives, stating that operations targeted ‘terrorist leaders and commanders.’ Defence Headquarters spokesman Major General Michael Onoja dismissed casualty reports as ‘not true.’ The military said it will investigate the alleged civilian deaths.