72 people died when the Nigerian military bombed the bandit-controlled Zamfara market

At least 72 people were reported killed after Tumfa market in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State was hit by a military airstrike.

Garba Ibrahim Mashema, a community leader, told AFP that some of the victims’ bodies were “exploded beyond recognition” in Sunday’s incident.

“The actual death toll is difficult to determine at the moment. Everyone, both residents and bandits, went to the market. The community is under the rule of the bandits. There is nothing they can do,” he said.

A local source told the news service that the Tumfa market was controlled by bandits and some of those killed were “young girls selling millet porridge and tofu at the market”.

Amnesty International said the death toll had risen to more than 100 people. He added that dozens of injured victims received treatment after the airstrike.

The organization said one of the affected villages buried 80 people in one incident.

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“Authorities must investigate these deadly attacks, and end reckless attacks on civilians,” said Amnesty International.

“In the conflict-ridden north, civilians too often bear the brunt of the suffering. These horrific deaths must not be ignored. Survivors and their families deserve truth, justice and reparations.

“Military planes bombed the weekly market, at one point the market was full of people and without warning, the atmosphere became chaotic.

“There were screams, blood, and bodies scattered around. Those who survived with injuries were evacuated to public hospitals in Zurmi and Shinkafa, while those who were seriously injured received treatment at Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital Gusau.”

AFP said the Zamfara missile launch came on the same day as another Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operation targeting bandits in Niger state that killed 13 civilians.

Michael Onoja, a spokesman for defense headquarters, said reports of civilian casualties in Zamfara were “not true”.

The military also denied reports that innocent civilians were killed in air strikes in Niger State, although it said the incident would be investigated.