At least 10 civilians were killed during a military airstrike on Christmas Day in northwestern Nigeria’s Sokoto state. The strike, intended to target a logistics base of the Lakurawa insurgent group, resulted in unintended fatalities, according to Nigerian defense spokesperson Edward Buba.
Buba explained that while insurgents were directly hit by munitions, civilian casualties occurred due to secondary explosions. The incident has drawn attention to the risks associated with Nigeria’s ongoing battle against insurgent groups.
Background on the Lakurawa Insurgents
The Lakurawa insurgent group has recently infiltrated Nigeria, capitalizing on political instability in neighboring Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Initially welcomed by local communities for defending against armed cattle rustlers, the group later sought to impose strict Islamic laws across border areas.
This escalation has made them a significant threat in Nigeria’s northwestern region, necessitating military interventions such as the airstrike in Sokoto state.
Recurring Civilian Casualties in Nigeria
Incidents of civilian casualties from airstrikes are not uncommon in Nigeria.
- In 2022, at least 85 civilians died during an army drone strike targeting a religious gathering.
- According to Lagos-based SBM Intelligence, approximately 400 civilians have been killed in accidental military strikes since 2017.
Such incidents highlight the challenges faced by the Nigerian military in differentiating insurgents from civilians during operations.
Broader Insurgency Challenges
While battling the Lakurawa group in the northwest, Nigeria continues its fight against Boko Haram in the northeast. Since its insurgency began in 2009, Boko Haram has caused over 35,000 deaths and displaced more than 2 million people, leading to a widespread humanitarian crisis.
The rise of insurgent factions and the difficulty in securing border areas have compounded Nigeria’s efforts to stabilize affected regions and protect civilians.
