The United States urged Nigerian authorities on Friday to investigate an airstrike that reportedly killed dozens of herders earlier this year, highlighting a pattern of deadly air attacks.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson stated, "We urge Nigerian authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this incident and all other incidents that result in civilian harm in a prompt and transparent manner."
The spokesperson confirmed that senior U.S. officials and diplomats in Nigeria regularly engage with the Nigerian government regarding counter-terrorism efforts and discuss issues such as protecting civilians from harm. However, the spokesperson did not specify whether they had raised the January airstrike with Nigerian officials.
The spokesperson noted that Washington is not aware of any information indicating the involvement of U.S.-supplied weapons or aircraft in any incidents harming civilians attributed to the Nigerian Air Force.
The fatal airstrike occurred amid renewed concerns among U.S. lawmakers regarding arms deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Nigeria, a country often criticized for its human rights record.
The State Department spokesperson emphasized that current defense sales and security assistance to Nigeria include "strong components focusing on human rights, preventing civilian harm, and promoting military justice and accountability."
He added, "There should be a thorough and transparent investigation into reports of harm to civilians."
Dozens of herders from the Fulani ethnic group were killed in an airstrike on January 24 in Nasarawa State in central Nigeria, according to a Reuters investigation published this week. The deaths raise concerning questions for allies like the United States, which arms the Nigerian military as part of ongoing efforts to curb Islamic insurgency in West Africa.
The State Department spokesperson stated that since the 2017 airstrike, the Nigerian military has taken corrective actions to reduce civilian harm. He added that as a result of U.S. training, the Nigerian Air Force is implementing targeting procedures to help avoid civilian casualties.
In 2017, the Nigerian Air Force faced criticism for targeting a displacement camp while conducting a mission against Islamic militants in Rann, near the border with Cameroon. The airstrike, which Nigerian officials admitted was a mistake, killed at least 90 people, mostly women and children, according to Médecins Sans Frontières, which had some of its teams at the camp at that time.
