By Chimezie Godfrey
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre/Transparency International Nigeria has condemned the reported Nigerian Air Force airstrike that allegedly hit a civilian market along the Borno–Yobe boundary, leaving dozens feared dead and several others injured.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), the organisation described the incident as tragic and called for an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike.
CISLAC noted that the development adds to what it termed a disturbing pattern of civilian casualties in counterterrorism operations, citing previous incidents in conflict-affected communities.
The group expressed condolences to victims and their families, while raising concerns over recurring structural gaps such as weak intelligence verification, limited precision targeting, and operational pressure for quick results.
It stated that airstrikes often rely on outdated or single-source intelligence, especially in areas where insurgents operate within civilian populations.
The organisation called for the establishment of a credible civilian-led investigative panel comprising the National Human Rights Commission, civil society groups, and international observers where necessary.
It also demanded public disclosure of findings, accountability for any errors or negligence, and adequate compensation for victims.
CISLAC further recommended the adoption of a civilian protection framework, including mandatory risk assessments before strikes, development of no-strike lists covering markets and hospitals, and real-time abort mechanisms when civilians are detected.
The group urged the Federal Government to adopt global best practices such as multi-layered intelligence verification, persistent surveillance, and improved civil-military coordination.
It also called for upgrades in military hardware, including the deployment of surveillance drones, precision-guided weapons, and secure communication systems.
The organisation stressed the need for stronger legislative oversight, urging the National Assembly to conduct regular hearings on military operations and mandate reporting of civilian casualties.
“Civilian protection is not optional but a legal and moral obligation,” the statement read.
CISLAC condemns Borno-Yobe airstrike, seeks independent investigation
