Amnesty International has demanded that the Nigerian military conduct a comprehensive investigation into the December 25, 2024, airstrike in Sokoto State’s Silame Local Government Area that killed at least ten people.
The use of air strikes as a law enforcement tactic was denounced by Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, as “unlawful” and showing a “shocking disregard for the lives” that the military is supposed to protect.
Whole families were slain in their houses as a result of the bombing, according to witnesses, and some of the victims were charred to death by fires started by the attack.
Amnesty International stressed that all practical measures must be taken to reduce civilian casualties during military operations in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The group has called on Nigerian authorities to conduct an unbiased, fair, and efficient inquiry into the incident to guarantee responsibility and stop similar incidents in the future.
Concerns over the military’s operational procedures and compliance with international humanitarian standards are raised by this occurrence, which adds to a string of military airstrikes in Nigeria that have unintentionally killed civilians.
