At least 20 civilians were killed over the weekend when a Nigerian military jet mistakenly bombed a group of vigilantes in Maru district, Zamfara State, local residents said.
The vigilantes, who were pursuing armed bandits after attacks on two villages, were misidentified as the criminals by the military and struck by an air force jet between the villages of Maraya and Wabi.
According to witnesses, the bandits had earlier raided Mani and Wabi villages, stealing livestock and abducting dozens of people. In response, community members from Maraya and surrounding areas formed a local task force to recover the stolen cattle and rescue those kidnapped.
Tragically, the military—apparently responding to calls for help from the communities—deployed air support. Instead of targeting the bandits, the fighter jet mistakenly attacked the vigilante group.
“We were hit by double tragedy on Saturday,” said Buhari Dangulbi, a resident of the area. “Dozens of our people and several cows were taken by bandits, and those who went to rescue them were bombed by a fighter jet. It killed 20 of them.”
Other residents confirmed the death toll. “Our vigilantes from Maraya and nearby communities gathered and went after the bandits. Unfortunately, a military jet struck them,” said Ishiye Kabiru. Alka Tanimu, another local, added that the villagers are now left with no option but to negotiate with the bandits to release the hostages. “We will still have to pay to get those kidnapped back, while the cows are gone for good,” he said.
This is the third such air strike in Zamfara that has resulted in civilian casualties, raising concerns over the military’s rules of engagement and intelligence gathering.
Nigeria’s northwest has been plagued by banditry for years. These armed groups, unlike the jihadists active in the northeast, are largely motivated by financial gain. They kidnap for ransom, rustle cattle, and terrorize rural communities. With limited police presence and weak governance in many parts of the region, locals often form vigilante groups to protect themselves.
However, the increasing number of civilian deaths from military air strikes highlights a growing problem. Rights groups and security analysts have repeatedly warned that the lack of proper coordination between communities and the military is leading to tragic mistakes.
As of now, the Nigerian military has not issued an official statement regarding the latest incident.
Families of the victims are mourning their dead and grappling with the loss of loved ones who were only trying to defend their communities.
Residents are now calling for an urgent review of military operations in civilian areas, and for better communication between the armed forces and local communities to avoid further tragedies.
