Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into a military air strike that killed at least 20 people in Zamfara State, describing the attack as "absolutely unlawful."

The incident occurred in the villages of Maraya and Wabi in Maru Local Government Area, where local vigilantes had reportedly gathered to defend their communities against bandits when they were mistakenly targeted by a military aircraft.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the human rights organization expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of civilian casualties resulting from military air operations.

"Residents described terrifying scenes as aircraft opened fire on their villages," Amnesty International stated. "Attacks by bandits clearly warrant a response from the state, but to launch reckless air strikes into villages again and again is absolutely unlawful."

The rights group highlighted that this was not an isolated incident, noting a similar case in January where 16 members of a community guard group were killed by a military air strike in Tungar Kara village of Maradun Local Government Area, also in Zamfara State.

Pattern of Civilian Casualties

"Air strikes with high numbers of unlawful killings have become the latest in a long list of gross human rights violations perpetrated by the Nigerian military," the organization added, emphasizing the need for accountability.

Zamfara State has been grappling with persistent banditry and insecurity, leading communities to form vigilante groups for self-defense. The military has intensified operations against armed groups in the region, but concerns about civilian casualties have grown.

Amnesty International's statement comes amid increasing scrutiny of military operations in Nigeria's northern regions, where security forces are battling various armed groups.

"Nigerian authorities must conduct a transparent investigation and bring justice to the victims," the group concluded, calling for accountability for those responsible for the deadly strike.

The Nigerian military has not yet issued an official response to Amnesty International's demands for an investigation into the incident.