world
Nigerian and Chadian Air Strikes Kill Over 100 Civilians, UN Rights Chief Calls for Independent Probes
Volker Turk called for prompt, independent probes into separate air attacks in northern Nigeria that killed more than 100 civilians. Nigerian army strikes on a market in Zamfara state on 10 May killed at least 100, while Chadian jets targeted Boko Haram camps since Friday. Nigerian military denied any civilian deaths and said the Zamfara strike hit terrorists.
May 13, 7:40 AM·2m read1 source
Al JazeeraAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
The United Nations human rights chief has demanded independent investigations into reports that separate air attacks by Nigerian and Chadian forces in northern Nigeria killed more than 100 civilians. Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said he was shocked by reports that Nigerian army airstrikes on a market in Zamfara state killed at least 100 civilians on 10 May and injured many more.
Many of those killed in the Tumfa village market attack were women and children, according to Amnesty International.
The Nigerian military and bandit gangs killed at least 100 civilians on Sunday in one of the bloodiest days in the state's conflict against armed groups. Turk was also alarmed and saddened by reports of high civilian casualties from attacks since Friday by Chadian jets against Boko Haram camps on remote islands in the vast marshland shared by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
Air raids by Chadian forces killed dozens of Nigerian fishermen working on islands under Boko Haram control.
Footage verified by the AFP news agency showed several fishermen with severe burns being treated at a hospital in Bosso, Niger. "It is crucial that both Nigerian and Chadian authorities conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into these disturbing incidents," Turk said.
He added that both militaries must take all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians. "Their military operations, including against Boko Haram and the so-called 'Islamic State West Africa Province' must be conducted in full compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law," he said, referring to the ISIL (ISIS) affiliate in West Africa Province known as ISWAP.
