The Nigerian military has been carrying out attacks on citizens in the nation, especially “communal militia” groups, with support from the US and other nations. In 248 airstrikes over the past five years, over 2,600 people have died, the majority of whom were civilians. The Nigerian Air Force admitted responsibility for the attack but did not offer information on how it was verified or what steps were taken to prevent civilian casualties.
A committee has been established to investigate claims of unintentional air attacks on people in response to the bombing on January 24 that raised concerns about the lack of accountability for civilian losses. The Nigerian military and government have not offered a public justification for the strike, leaving locals to conjecture.
The Nigerian Military
In Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy and military might, security has repeatedly taken precedence above human rights concerns in the US and UK. The sale of $1 billion in military equipment to the Nigerian military was authorized by the US in April 2022 because of abuses committed by the army in the northeast.
The Biden administration has not addressed these worries in the media. Over 3,600 people have been killed in clashes in Nigeria between farmers and semi-nomadic herders since 2016. Although scientists contend that agriculture and climate change are fueling rivalry for access to water and land, violence is frequently linked to ethnic or religious conflicts.
- Nigerian military attacks civilians, causing 2,600 deaths in 248 airstrikes, with no verification or prevention measures.
- Nigeria prioritizes security over human rights; US authorizes $1 billion military equipment sale.
- Nigerian airstrike increases tensions, leading to homage in Nasarawa.
Violence and discrimination against nomadic lifestyles have been brought on by conflicts. Following the airstrike, tensions in Nigeria increased, leading to high-level political figures paying homage in Nasarawa.
The Fulani community group, the FGDRI, wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari to inform him of the bombing and other alleged attacks on herders by the government or military, and to implore him to take action to put an end to the carnage.
In a letter to Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, the FGDRI complained that neither the military nor the federal government had officially accepted responsibility. There are several theories that the strike was called by the state government of Benue in retaliation for past cow grazing by herders in Benue.
Some victims and family members think this is retaliation. The ranchers felt their lives had ended when the strike destroyed all of their means of subsistence.
