The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has strongly condemned the recent airstrike on a civilian market along the Borno-Yobe border, which reportedly claimed more than 56 lives and left several others injured.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, April 12, 2026, has drawn widespread concern over the safety of civilians in conflict-affected areas of northeastern Nigeria.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, described the loss of civilian lives as a grave violation of fundamental rights, including the right to life, dignity, and personal security as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and international humanitarian law.
Ojukwu stressed that labeling the airstrike as “accidental” does not absolve the government of its responsibility to protect civilians. He noted that the recurring pattern of such incidents raises serious concerns about compliance with global standards guiding military operations, particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.
The Commission warned that repeated civilian casualties from military operations risk eroding public trust and weakening the legitimacy of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
To address the situation, the NHRC called for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the airstrike. It emphasized that the probe must not be handled solely by the Nigerian Air Force but should include the Commission, the National Assembly, independent experts, and representatives of affected communities to ensure credibility.
The Commission also demanded full accountability across all levels of command, from intelligence officers to those who authorized and executed the mission. It recommended the administrative suspension of personnel directly involved pending the outcome of investigations.
In addition, the NHRC urged the Federal Government to provide urgent support to victims, including medical care for the injured, dignified burial arrangements, and adequate compensation for families of the deceased, in line with international human rights standards.
The Commission further stressed the need for a thorough review of military operations to prevent future occurrences, calling for the immediate implementation of a comprehensive national policy on the protection of civilians in conflict zones.
According to the NHRC, such a policy should establish strict protocols for intelligence gathering, targeting, and post-strike assessments, while also creating an independent mechanism for tracking and responding to civilian casualties.
“The protection of civilians cannot be treated as collateral to national security,” the Commission stated, adding that Nigeria must ensure its counter-terrorism efforts do not undermine the very principles of human rights they aim to defend.
The NHRC extended condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the investigation and supporting efforts to ensure justice and prevent a recurrence.
