Panic has gripped parts of Borno State following reports that airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) against suspected fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) may have killed several civilians.
Security sources told Premium Times that the airstrikes were conducted between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday in the Mararaba area of Kukawa Local Government Area. The operation reportedly took place just hours after the NAF reiterated its commitment to protecting civilian populations during ongoing counterinsurgency operations, which are said to be supported by the United States.
According to the source, the strikes hit an area where fishermen and commercial drivers had gathered at a terminus junction linking the Daban Masara road in Kukawa with Badeiri in neighbouring Marte Local Government Area. The drivers were reportedly waiting to transport fish and fishermen to various destinations when the bombardment occurred.
While confirming at least three deaths and the destruction of 10 vehicles, the source said the actual number of civilian casualties remains unclear. “The number of civilians killed is uncertain, but a high number of civilians have been killed and vehicles destroyed,” the source said, adding that several injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Monguno for treatment.
A Nigerian Air Force pilot also confirmed that the incident was discussed during an operational briefing held in a North-western state, though no official statement has been issued by the Air Force as of the time of filing this report.
A security analyst, Brant Philip, also corroborated the reports, noting that the affected vehicles allegedly belonged to fishermen rather than ISWAP fighters. In a post, he stated that large civilian casualties were recorded during the airstrikes.
Philip explained that thousands of fishermen operate in areas under ISWAP influence, often paying levies to the group in exchange for protection from bandits and rival Boko Haram factions. He stressed that civilian presence in such locations is common and urged the Nigerian Air Force to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities are yet to officially confirm the scale of the casualties or provide further details on the operation.
