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A report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has finally taken responsibility for a fatal airstrike on Kwatiri, a Nasarawa village.
In January 2023, TheCable reported how at least 27 persons were killed following the airstrike.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said the airstrike occurred after the herders went to get 1,250 of their cows impounded by the Benue livestock guards.
A day after the accident, Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa governor, said the explosion in Kwatiri was not carried out by a NAF aircraft.
He said enquiries revealed that “no air force plane flew through the area,” adding that the bombing was done by a drone whose operators were yet to be identified.
Nearly six months after the incident, the HRW report revealed that NAF has provided little information on the incident.
The human rights organisation said the military’s unacceptable delay in owning up to the killing of dozens of civilians only compounds the tragedy of the attack.
The report adds that NAF should provide financial compensation to the victims and bereaved families.
“The Nigerian air force admitted for the first time, in response to an inquiry from Human Rights Watch, to carrying out the airstrike.
“It said it was an air component of Operation Whirl Stroke, a joint military, police, and Department of State Security operation deployed in response to security problems in and around Nasarawa state.
Peoplesmind
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