“Why Nigeria’s Airstrike Victims are Still Waiting for Justice”

Nigeria: No Justice for Civilians Killed in Airstrike

The Nigerian military’s airstrike on January 24, 2023, which resulted in the death of 39 civilians and the injury of at least six others, has yet to receive accountability from the government. The Nigerian air force, in response to an inquiry from Human Rights Watch, has claimed responsibility for the airstrike that took place in Kwatiri, a small settlement in Nasarawa State, but failed to provide sufficient details. Since 2017, over 300 people have been killed by airstrikes intended for bandits or members of the Islamist armed group Boko Haram, which instead have hit civilians.

Slow response highlights lack of accountability

The Nigerian authorities have failed to express their commitment to protecting their citizens’ rights by failing to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation of the incident, as well as publicizing their findings and taking steps towards justice and accountability. The military’s delay in owning up to the death and injury of the dozens of civilians only compounds the tragedy of the attack. International and Nigerian media as well as Nigerian research organizations have reported that the Nigerian security forces have been implicated in several air operations, some erroneous, leading to the killing of innocent citizens.

Need for accountability and justice

The Nigerian military should provide full accountability for their actions, compensate the victims and their families financially, and offer them livelihood assistance based on their needs. It is the duty of the Nigerian authorities to investigate allegations of civilian harm as a result of their operations or the actions of non-state actors by providing redress for loss or damages incurred.

Importance of international partners

Nigeria‘s international partners, including the United States, are urged to ensure that security cooperation programs do not enable or encourage serious human rights violations. It is also important that they increase transparency and focus their reporting and oversight mechanisms on compliance with human rights standards. They should support Nigerian authorities in their efforts to scrutinize their security operations’ compliance with necessary measures to avoid civilian harm and pressure the authorities to take steps towards justice and accountability.

Philosophical discussion on airstrikes

According to international human rights law, authorities are required to use force only if it is unavoidable, and even then, with restraint and in proportion to the circumstances. The intentional lethal use of firearms should only be employed when strictly necessary to protect life. The use of airstrikes as a crime-fighting strategy is hardly justifiable under these conditions, given the likely loss of life.

Editorial

It is essential that the Nigerian government holds its security forces accountable in their operations that lead to civilian harm. Despite several cases of wrongful deaths caused by security forces, there has been little or no effort to ensure adequate justice or accountability. Seeking justice and accountability will

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