The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria has condemned the reported Nigerian Air Force airstrike that hit a civilian market along the Borno–Yobe border, leaving dozens feared dead and many others injured.
In a statement, CISLAC described the incident—said to have occurred during operations targeting insurgents—as part of a troubling pattern of civilian casualties in counterterrorism operations in the country’s conflict-affected regions.
The organisation expressed condolences to victims and their families, while calling for an urgent, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
CISLAC warned that recurring incidents of civilian harm reflect deep structural challenges, including weak intelligence verification, limited precision-targeting capacity, reliance on single-source or outdated intelligence, and operational pressure on troops to deliver rapid results.
It noted that such gaps often increase the risk of misidentification in environments where insurgents and civilians operate in close proximity.
The group demanded the establishment of an independent civilian-led investigative panel, involving the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), civil society organisations, and international observers where necessary. It also called for public disclosure of findings, accountability for any negligence or errors, and adequate compensation for victims.
CISLAC further urged the Nigerian authorities to adopt a comprehensive civilian protection framework, including mandatory civilian harm risk assessments before airstrikes, the creation of no-strike lists covering sensitive sites such as markets, hospitals and religious centres, and real-time abort mechanisms when civilian presence is detected.
The organisation also recommended the adoption of global best practices in counterterrorism operations, including multi-layered intelligence verification, persistent surveillance before engagement, use of precision-guided munitions, stronger civil-military coordination, and improved post-strike civilian harm assessments.
It additionally called for investment in advanced defence technologies such as ISR drones with real-time video feeds, enhanced intelligence analytics, secure communications systems, and improved targeting accuracy.
CISLAC stressed the need for stronger civilian oversight, urging the National Assembly to conduct regular hearings on military operations and enforce mandatory reporting of civilian casualty incidents.
Reiterating that civilian protection is both a legal and moral obligation, the organisation warned that counterterrorism operations resulting in repeated civilian deaths are counterproductive and unsustainable.
It called on the federal government to urgently reform operational, training and accountability frameworks within the armed forces to prevent a recurrence of similar tragedies.
The statement was signed by Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of CISLAC/Transparency International Nigeria.