No fewer than 72 people have been reportedly died after a Nigerian military airstrike struck Tumfa market in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State on Sunday.
Gatekeepers News reports thay the incident occurred during trading activities at the market, with several other persons said to have sustained injuries following the bombardment. Residents and witnesses told AFP that military jets were seen flying over the area before the strike happened.
Amnesty International noted that the number of casualties could be higher, alleging that at least 100 civilians may have died in the attack.
The organisation said many of the victims were women and children, while dozens of injured persons were receiving treatment in hospitals across the area.
The Nigerian military reportedly acknowledged carrying out an operation in the area but denied deliberately targeting civilians, maintaining that its air operations are based on intelligence gathering aimed at armed groups operating in the region.
The latest incident has triggered fresh concerns over civilian casualties linked to military airstrikes in northern Nigeria.
It comes weeks after another deadly airstrike in Jilli community reportedly killed scores of people during a military operation targeting insurgents.
