Northeastern Nigeria, April 12, 2026
A Nigerian military airstrike struck a market in the country’s northeast on Tuesday, killing dozens of civilians while the armed forces claimed the operation targeted a terrorist gathering point.
Local media and Amnesty International reported between 30 and over 100 fatalities, with eyewitness accounts describing scenes of chaos and destruction. The military defended the operation, stating it had aimed at a corridor used by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, and asserted that "dozens of terrorists were neutralized" in the attack.
Conflicting Death Toll and Eyewitness Accounts
Reports on the number of casualties varied widely, reflecting the difficulty of verifying information in the conflict-ridden region. Amnesty International, citing local sources, reported that over 100 people were killed in the airstrike. Local media, relying on witness testimonies, placed the death toll between 30 and 200, with many victims reportedly civilians caught in the crossfire.
The market, located in a remote area of northeastern Nigeria, served as a hub for traders and residents from surrounding villages. Witnesses described the sudden arrival of military jets before explosions ripped through the crowded marketplace. One survivor, whose account was relayed by local journalists, said, "We heard the planes, and then everything was fire and screams."
Military Justification and Ongoing Conflict
The Nigerian military released a statement acknowledging the airstrike but insisted it had targeted a known terrorist stronghold. "The operation was conducted to disrupt a major gathering point for ISWAP terrorists and to destroy their logistical assets," the statement read. It further claimed that "terrorist vehicles and equipment were destroyed" and that the strike had successfully "neutralized" dozens of fighters.
Northeastern Nigeria has been a battleground for over a decade, with Boko Haram and its splinter group, ISWAP, waging an insurgency against the government. The conflict has displaced millions and left tens of thousands dead. Military operations, often supported by airstrikes, have been a key strategy in combating the militants, though such strikes have occasionally resulted in civilian casualties, drawing criticism from human rights groups.
Amnesty International and other watchdogs have repeatedly called for greater accountability in military operations to prevent harm to non-combatants. The latest incident has reignited debates over the proportionality of airstrikes in densely populated areas and the challenges of distinguishing militants from civilians in a region where the lines are often blurred.
The Nigerian government has yet to announce an independent investigation into the strike, though pressure is mounting from both local and international organizations. For now, survivors and families of the victims are left to mourn as the conflict shows no signs of abating.