The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Wednesday called for independent investigations into reports that separate airstrikes carried out by the militaries of Nigeria and Chad killed dozens of civilians in northern Nigeria.
According to reports, the Nigerian military and armed bandit groups were involved in violence that left around 100 civilians dead on Sunday in one of the deadliest days recorded in the country’s conflict with armed groups.
Amnesty International said Nigerian military airstrikes targeting a crowded market in Zamfara State reportedly killed at least 100 civilians.
A resident of a nearby village reportedly placed the death toll at 117.
“I am shocked by reports that Nigerian army airstrikes on a market in Zamfara State killed at least 100 civilians on 10 May and injured many more,” Türk said in a statement.l
The UN rights chief also expressed concern over reports of civilian casualties linked to attacks by Chadian fighter jets targeting Boko Haram camps around the Lake Chad region.
The strikes reportedly occurred on remote islands located within the marshlands shared by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
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According to reports, dozens of Nigerian fishermen working on islands controlled by Boko Haram were killed during the bombardment.
The civilians were said to have been operating in areas where residents are forced to pay taxes to the jihadist group.
Footage seen by AFP reportedly showed fishermen with severe burns receiving treatment at a hospital in Bosso, Niger.
Türk urged both governments to launch “prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations” into the incidentsl.
He also called on the authorities in both countries to ensure accountability for any violations committed during the operations.
“Their military operations, including against Boko Haram and the so-called Islamic State West Africa Province, must be conducted in full compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” he stated.
The UN official further stressed that civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted during military operations.