In a shocking incident, a Nigerian air force fighter jet, which was on a mission to target Boko Haram extremists, had mistakenly bombed a refugee camp on Tuesday. The incident killed over 100 refugees and aid workers, said a Borno state official.
The accidental bombardment in the northeastern town of Rann, near the border with Cameroon was confirmed by the Military commander Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor. He said “some” civilians were killed.
This is said to be the first time that the Nigeria’s military has admitted of making such a mistake. Villagers in the region earlier have reported civilian fatalities in the near-daily bombings aimed at the Islamic militants.
Borno state official, who were helping to manage evacuation of injured from the remote area by helicopters, said to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity that over 100 refugees and aid workers were among the dead.
As per the team of Doctors Without Borders, they counted 52 bodies and were treating 120 injured.
“This large-scale attack on vulnerable people who have already fled from extreme violence is shocking and unacceptable,” said Dr. Jean-Clément Cabrol, the aid group’s director of operations. “The safety of civilians must be respected.”
Two soldiers were also injured, along with Nigerians working for Doctors Without Borders, Irabor said.
