Nigerian Military Has Killed More Civilians Than Terrorists — Rinu Oduala Condemns Murder of Niger Residents by NAF Airstrikes
Human Right Activist Rinu Oduala has condemned the killing of Niger State residents following reported airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force.
An unconfirmed number of civilians were reportedly been killed following another aerial bombardment by military on Guradnayi, a community near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, adds to a series of unresolved accidental military airstrikes recorded in rural communities across Nigeria’s conflict-ridden areas.
Residents told journalists that the airstrike happened around 5 a.m. while security forces were reportedly pursuing armed terrorists operating within the area.
A resident of Kusasu, Auta Awododo, said no fewer than 12 people were killed inside a relative’s residence in Guradnayi.
Several Innocent Nigerians Killed in Another Military Airstrike on Niger Community
“It happened around 5 a.m.,” he said.
“Twelve people were killed in his house. The rest were Kusasu people who were fleeing from the terrorists,” Awododo added, noting that one of the victims was his cousin’s son.
According to locals, a large group of terrorists riding motorcycles had moved through the village before the aerial bombardment began.
“The military first threw a bomb near the river in Kusasu,” one resident said. “The second bomb was dropped at Guradnayi.”
In her reaction, Oduala in a post on X claimed that the Nigerian military has, in some instances, recorded more civilian casualties than fatalities among terrorist groups, describing the development as deeply concerning.
Based on reports tracking “accidental” or erroneous airstrikes in Nigeria during counter-insurgency operations, over 400 to 500+ civilians have been killed between September 2017 and early 2026.These casualties frequently result from airstrikes aimed at terrorists in northern Nigeria which mistakenly hit civilians, including villagers, displaced persons, and wedding guests.
