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United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk has issued an urgent demand for Nigeria and Chad to launch independent investigations into recent military airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of scores of civilians.
The call for accountability follows reports that a Nigerian strike on a market killed at least 100 people, while a separate Chadian operation reportedly killed dozens of fishermen.
Türk emphasised that these enquiries must be prompt, thorough, and impartial to ensure justice for the victims and their families in accordance with international law.
The incident in Nigeria took place in the village of Tumfa, where an aerial bombardment struck a busy market.
While the military claimed the operation targeted bandits, local accounts suggest the casualties were overwhelmingly non-combatants, including many children.
Simultaneously, Chadian forces operating near the border were reported to have struck a group of fishermen, leading to further loss of life.
These dual tragedies have intensified global scrutiny over the protection of civilians during counterinsurgency operations in the region.
The UN Human Rights Office underscored that both the Nigerian and Chadian authorities have a legal obligation to hold those responsible for any violations to account.
.@volker_turk alarmed by dozens of civilian deaths from recent airstrikes by Nigerian and Chadian armies in northeast and northwest Nigeria.
Prompt & impartial investigations & accountability are crucial.https://t.co/HSGyjwr1rU pic.twitter.com/Ay4yq1M76f— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) May 13, 2026
Türk’s demand for “independent” investigations suggested internal military investigations could not meet international standards of transparency.
As regional conflict continues to escalate, the United Nations remains focused on ensuring that military necessity does not come at the expense of innocent lives.
