Nigerian Airstrike on Zamfara Market Leaves Over 100 Dead Amid Conflicting Reports

At least 100 civilians were reportedly killed in a Nigerian military airstrike on Tumfa market in Zamfara State, according to Amnesty International. The group called for an investigation, while the military denied reports of civilian casualties. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed the strike, and local sources said many victims were women and girls. The incident comes amid ongoing insecurity and military operations against bandits and jihadist groups in northern Nigeria.

At least 100 civilians were reportedly killed after a Nigerian military airstrike struck a crowded market in the country’s northwestern Zamfara State, according to Amnesty International. The incident, which occurred on Sunday at Tumfa market, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over civilian casualties during military operations targeting armed groups in northern Nigeria.
Amnesty International’s Nigerian office said the market was filled with traders, residents, and other civilians when the strike occurred. The organization strongly condemned the attack and called on Nigerian authorities to launch an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident. In a statement shared on social media, Amnesty stressed that repeated deadly airstrikes on civilian communities must stop, urging the government to hold those responsible accountable and to adopt measures that better protect innocent people living in conflict areas.
The International Committee of the Red Cross also confirmed that the strike took place. Humanitarian officials and local sources reported that many victims suffered severe injuries, while several others died at the scene before emergency assistance could arrive. Local hospitals were said to be overwhelmed with wounded victims, including women, children, and elderly residents caught in the explosion.
Despite the reports from residents and aid organizations, Nigeria’s military denied claims that civilians were killed in the operation. Military spokesman Major General Michael Onoja told AFP news agency that reports of civilian deaths in Zamfara were “not true.” In a separate statement issued to the Associated Press, the military insisted there was “no verifiable evidence of civilian casualties as being suggested in the media.”
Community leaders and residents, however, painted a different picture of the situation. Witnesses said the market was busy at the time of the strike, with large numbers of people buying and selling goods. According to local accounts, many victims were women and girls who had gathered at the market for trading activities.
Garba Ibrahim Mashema, a resident of the area, explained that the security situation in the region has made life increasingly dangerous for ordinary people. He said both civilians and armed bandits often use the same public spaces, including markets, because many communities have little choice but to continue daily activities despite the insecurity. According to him, villagers are trapped in fear and uncertainty, unable to resist or escape the influence of armed groups operating across the region.
An official with the Red Cross in Zamfara State, Ibrahim Bello Garba, also confirmed to the Associated Press that “multiple civilians” were killed in the strike. Relief workers reportedly assisted with evacuating the wounded and helping affected families recover bodies from the scene of the attack.
The latest airstrike has intensified criticism of military operations in northern Nigeria, where civilians have repeatedly been caught in the crossfire during efforts to combat armed groups. Rights organizations say mistaken bombings and air raids have become an alarming pattern in conflict-affected areas.
The incident follows another deadly military airstrike that reportedly struck a market in Jilli, northeastern Nigeria, last month, killing around 200 civilians. That attack also triggered condemnation from human rights groups and humanitarian agencies, many of which warned that military operations in populated areas continue to expose civilians to devastating risks.
Amnesty International said the growing number of civilian deaths in northern Nigeria demonstrates the urgent need for greater accountability and improved safeguards during security operations. The organization warned that communities living in conflict zones have endured years of suffering, displacement, and violence, with civilians paying the highest price.
Nigeria continues to battle serious security challenges in several parts of the country, particularly in the north, where armed bandit groups and jihadist insurgents remain active. The criminal gangs are known for raiding villages, burning homes, kidnapping residents for ransom, and extorting rural communities. Although many of the groups operate independently, some have reportedly collaborated with extremist factions linked to jihadist movements.
The insecurity has displaced thousands of families, disrupted farming and trade, and deepened humanitarian problems across the region. Many residents now live under constant fear of attacks from both armed groups and military operations aimed at stopping them.