Amnesty Says Nigerian Airstrike Killed 100 at Tumfa Market as Military Denies Civilian Deaths
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 12
Amnesty Says Nigerian Airstrike Killed 100 at Tumfa Market as Military Denies Civilian Deaths
12 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 12
Amnesty International said a Nigerian military airstrike on Sunday hit a market in Tumfa, Zamfara state, killing 100 civilians, with one village alone burying 80 people.
The military confirmed carrying out an airstrike in the area but said it had found no verifiable evidence of civilian casualties and insisted operations against armed groups were continuing.
A Red Cross official in Zamfara told AP the strike occurred and said multiple civilians were killed, while Amnesty said most of the dead were young girls and small boys.
The allegation revives scrutiny of Nigeria’s air campaign after another accidental air force strike killed 100 people last month; analysts have blamed poor coordination with ground forces.
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Tumfa Market Airstrike: 100 Civilians Killed in Nigeria, Exposing Systemic Failures in Military Accountability
Overview
On May 10, 2026, a Nigerian military airstrike struck the crowded Tumfa market in Zamfara state, resulting in the deaths of multiple civilians, including young girls selling food. While the military confirmed the airstrike, it denied any civilian casualties, stating there was no verifiable evidence and emphasizing that civilians are not intended targets. Despite these denials, local reports described the burial of 80 civilians, mostly children, after the attack. The incident highlights the ongoing conflict between official military statements and eyewitness accounts, raising serious concerns about civilian safety during military operations in Nigeria.