At least 72 people were reportedly killed on Sunday after a military airstrike hit Tumfa market in Zurmi LGA, Zamfara State, according to AFP, citing a community leader.
The leader, Garba Ibrahim Mashema, said the death toll was difficult to confirm because both residents and bandits use the market. He told AFP that some bodies were “blown beyond recognition” and that people in the area have little choice but to attend the market despite bandit control.
A local source said the market is controlled by bandits and that some of those killed included young women selling food. Amnesty International put the death toll at over 100, saying dozens were injured and one village buried 80 people.
The organisation called for an investigation into the strike, saying civilians in northern Nigeria have repeatedly borne the brunt of conflict. It said the attack occurred at a busy time without warning, causing chaos and casualties.
The Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Michael Onoja, told AFP that reports of civilian deaths in Zamfara were “not true.” The military also denied civilian casualties in a separate airstrike in Niger State the same day, though it said that incident would be investigated.
