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No Justice for Civilians Killed in Nigeria Airstrike - HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised Nigerian authorities for providing limited information and no justice for 39 civilians killed and 6 others who were injured in a military airstrike on January 24, 2023, in the small settlement of Kwatiri in Nasarawa State.

Six months after the incident, the Nigerian air force admitted to carrying out the airstrike but provided no details. The airstrike was allegedly carried out in response to suspected terrorist activities, but there is no evidence linking the victims to any armed groups.

This incident is part of a pattern of erroneous airstrikes by the Nigerian air force that has resulted in civilian casualties, HRWhas said. The organisation has called on Nigeria's international partners, including the U.S., to ensure that their security cooperation programmes do not enable or encourage human rights violations.

HRW is urging Nigerian authorities to conduct prompt and transparent investigations, provide compensation and redress to the victims, and take measures to avoid civilian harm in their security operations.

InFocus

Human Rights Watch

Nasarawa State

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