At least 200 people are feared dead following an airstrike by Nigerian military jets on a village market in northeast Nigeria during an operation targeting Islamist militants on Saturday night, according to local officials and residents.
A community councilor and eyewitnesses said the strike hit the market area during ongoing military pursuit of armed groups operating in the region, raising concerns over possible civilian casualties.
In response, the Nigerian Air Force acknowledged the reports and stated that it has activated its Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell to immediately visit the affected area and conduct a fact-finding mission into the incident.
The Air Force said the investigation aims to verify the circumstances surrounding the alleged civilian deaths and determine what exactly occurred during the operation.
The incident has sparked renewed attention on the risks associated with air operations in conflict zones, particularly in areas where armed groups are embedded within civilian communities.
Military authorities are expected to release further updates as the investigation progresses.
The Nigerian Air Force continues to play a central role in counter-insurgency operations in the northeast, where government forces have been battling armed Islamist groups for years.
