Amnesty International: Victims of Reckless Air Strike Still Awaiting Justice a Year After

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Amnesty International (AI) yesterday saida the Nigerian Government has failed to ensure justice and accountability for the deadly air strike that killed 40 people in Rukubi, Doma area of Nasarawa State one year ago.

The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, therefore, said it was simply too long a wait for the victims and their families, whose lives have been devastated by the atrocity, as justice delayed, is justice denied.

AI in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja said the use of air strikes for law enforcement is unlawful, and represents a reckless use of deadly force.

“The authorities’ consistent failure to hold the military to account for this disregard for human lives was only encouraging further such strikes, putting the people living in rural areas, already beset by conflicts, in greater danger,” he stated.

According to the statement, “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 Nigerian authorities must give clear directives to the military to always prioritise and respect human rights while carrying out all types of security operations.

“President Bola Tinubu’s administration must carry out an independent, impartial, and effective investigation into the air strike on Rukubi, as well as the many others that have resulted in unlawful killings.

“Those suspected of such act should be brought to justice in fair trials, including those with individual and command responsibilities of soldiers and senior military commanders.”

AI further noted that the air strikes component of military operations in some part of Nigeria affected by spiraling conflicts has resulted in the death of hundreds of people over almost a decade.

t added: “Before the latest military air strike on December 3, 2023, in Tudun Biri that killed more than 120 people, the Nigerian Air Force air strike also killed 64 people in Mutumji village in Zamfara State.

“Following these air strikes, the Nigerian authorities took responsibility and tendered public apologies.”