The National Human Rights Commission has demanded a full explanation from the Nigerian Air Force over the recurring civilian casualties linked to military airstrikes across parts of the country, describing the continued loss of innocent lives as unacceptable and a serious human rights concern.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said repeated aerial bombardments affecting civilian communities, markets and vulnerable populations under counter-insurgency operations had become deeply troubling and could not continue without accountability.
While acknowledging the responsibility of the Nigerian state to combat insurgency, banditry and terrorism, Ojukwu stressed that military operations must strictly comply with constitutional provisions, international humanitarian law and Nigeria’s human rights obligations.
“The repeated reports of civilian deaths and injuries, including women, children and other vulnerable persons, arising from aerial bombardments raise serious concerns regarding the protection of the right to life and human dignity,” he stated.
The Commission questioned why civilian casualties linked to military airstrikes had continued despite previous public outrage and repeated assurances of operational reforms.
“Nigerians deserve to know why this has become a recurring decimal,” Ojukwu said.
He cited recent incidents recorded within April and May, including reported airstrike casualties at Jilli Market in Yobe State, Shiroro Market in Niger State and Tumfa Market in Zamfara State.
“For how long will this continue?” he asked.
The NHRC boss warned that the principles of distinction, necessity, proportionality and accountability remain binding obligations under international humanitarian law and must guide all military engagements, particularly in conflict-affected communities where civilians are most vulnerable.
According to him, civilian populations must never be treated as “collateral damage” during security operations.
The Commission called on the Nigerian Air Force to provide a comprehensive account of the circumstances surrounding the incidents and disclose measures being implemented to prevent future civilian casualties.
Ojukwu also demanded prompt, transparent and independent investigations into all reported cases of civilian deaths resulting from military airstrikes, insisting that victims and affected communities deserve justice, compensation and psychosocial support.
He further urged security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve operational precision and reinforce internal accountability mechanisms to minimise the risk of targeting innocent civilians during aerial operations.
The Commission maintained that national security objectives must be pursued within the framework of legality and respect for human dignity.
“National security and human rights protection are not mutually exclusive,” the Commission stated, warning that public confidence in security operations would continue to decline if civilian deaths persist without accountability.
The NHRC reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments and engaging relevant authorities to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights amid ongoing security operations across the country.
