The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), in collaboration with Transparency International Nigeria, has called for an independent investigation into a reported Nigerian Air Force airstrike that allegedly struck a civilian market along the Borno–Yobe border.
Reports indicated that the incident, which occurred during an operation targeting insurgents, left dozens of civilians feared dead and several others injured.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), CISLAC expressed concern over what it described as a recurring pattern of civilian casualties in counterterrorism operations.
The organisation said previous incidents of accidental airstrikes in conflict-affected communities suggest the existence of structural gaps, including weak intelligence verification, limited precision targeting, and pressure on military units to achieve quick results.
CISLAC called for the establishment of a credible, civilian-led investigative panel comprising the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), civil society organisations, and international observers where necessary, while also demanding public disclosure of findings and accountability for any errors or negligence.
The group further urged the adoption of a comprehensive civilian protection framework, including mandatory risk assessments before strikes, development of “no-strike lists” covering markets and other public places, and real-time mechanisms to abort missions where civilian presence is detected.
It also recommended the adoption of global best practices such as multi-layered intelligence verification, improved surveillance before engagement, enhanced civil-military coordination, and increased investment in modern defence capabilities.
CISLAC stressed that civilian protection remains a legal and moral obligation in all military operations and called on the Federal Government to reform its operational, training and accountability frameworks to prevent future occurrences.
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