Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian military of killing more than 100 people in airstrikes on Tumfa market in Zamfara state, northwest Nigeria, describing the attack as a potential war crime. Women and children were among the casualties, according to survivors, a local government official, and a Nigerian Red Cross representative. The military confirmed the strikes, characterizing the site as a terrorist hideout and citing no evidence of civilian deaths, though it said allegations were under investigation. Amnesty documented similar strikes on a village market in the northeast last month, and the military acknowledged additional attacks in central Niger State over the same weekend. Human rights observers argue that striking populated civilian areas—even where militants may be present—violates international humanitarian law. The pattern of incidents risks deepening mistrust between northern communities and the federal government, potentially strengthening the recruitment base of the very groups the military is targeting.
The New York Times
