Amnesty International has called on the federal government to investigate the military air strike that “accidentally killed nine people” in Yobe state.
A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet had on September 15 ‘accidentally bombed’ Buwari village in Yunusari local government area of Yobe State, killing nine people and injuring 20.
The jet was said to had targeted Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) fighters who had dissolved into the settlement.
AI in a statement by its Media Manager in Nigeria, asked the federal government to also look into the incident where a military helicopter allegedly opened fire on a cargo boat conveying foodstuff from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers state, on Ausgust 26.
It said previous incident in the North East of Nigeria and Niger Delta region were met with deafening silence and outright denial by the authorities while devastated families suffer in silence.
“Amnesty International is calling for full reparations for the relatives of those killed in the strikes, as well as remedy for other victims in previous military air strikes – including compensation, restitution and rehabilitation,” the statement said.
“Nigerian military must abide by international law in future military operations and protect lives of civilians.
“Anyone suspected of criminal responsibility should be prosecuted in a fair trial. Survivors and families of the victims should be kept informed of the progress of the investigation and be given full reparation.”
