UN urges 'independent' probes into deadly Nigeria, Chad airstrikes

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GENEVA: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for immediate and independent investigations into separate airstrikes conducted by the Nigerian and Chadian militaries that resulted in dozens of civilian fatalities. 

The demand follows reports of mass casualties in northern Nigeria, where military operations against armed groups and jihadist camps struck areas populated by non-combatants.

In one of the deadliest incidents, Nigerian military airstrikes targeted a crowded market in the northwestern Zamfara state on Sunday, May 10. While the area was reportedly controlled by criminal gangs, 

Amnesty International and local residents reported that at least 100 to 117 civilians were killed in the bombardment.

Parallel to the events in Zamfara, Chadian fighter jets have been conducting strikes against Boko Haram camps located on remote islands in the marshlands shared by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad.

These attacks have reportedly killed dozens of Nigerian fishermen who were working in the area and were forced to pay taxes to the jihadist group. Footage has surfaced showing survivors with severe burns being treated at hospitals in neighboring Niger.

Commissioner Turk expressed shock and sadness over the high civilian toll, urging both nations to conduct thorough and impartial inquiries. He emphasized that those responsible for any violations of international standards must be held accountable. 

The UN rights chief stressed that military operations against insurgent groups must be conducted in full compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws.

The UN’s urgent appeal calls on both militaries to implement all feasible precautions to protect non-combatants in future operations. Turk underscored a fundamental principle of conflict, stating that civilians and civilian objects must never be the target of military attacks.