Disturbing Pattern : CISLAC Wants NASS Oversight on Airstrikes After Civilian Deaths

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria is deeply concerned by the reports of Nigerian Air Force airstrike that struck a civilian market along the Borno–Yobe boundary, leaving dozens feared dead and many injured.

This tragic incident, which reportedly occured during operations targeting insurgents, adds to a disturbing pattern of civilian harm in counterterrorism operations, including previous accidental airstrikes in some conflict-affected communities.

This is contained in a statement signed by Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)
Executive Director of civil society legislative and Advocacy center (CISLAC/ Transparency International Nigeria.

CISLAC extends condolences to the victims and calls for urgent, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding this attack.

We find it disturbing that evidence from similar cases shows recurring structural gaps such as weak intelligence verification; lack of precision targeting capacity; pressure for rapid results.

“Airstrikes often rely on single-source or outdated intelligence, especially in environments where insurgents mix with civilians. Just as military units under constant pressure to neutralize insurgents quickly, lowering verification thresholds.

As a matter of urgency, we demand an Independent Investigation and Accountability with an established credible civilian-led investigative panel comprising the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Civil Society, and international observers where necessary; public disclosure of findings and accountability for errors or negligence; and adequate compensation and support to victims and families.

We recommend immediate adoption of Civilian Protection Framework to institutionalize Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response used by modern militaries, mandatory civilian risk assessments before strikes; formulation and implementation of compehensive policy on No-strike lists (markets, hospitals, religious sites); real-time abort protocols when civilian presence is detected.

We call for the review and adoption of best practices from Global Counterterrorism Operations such Multi-Layered Intelligence Verification, Persistent Surveillance Before Engagement; Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs); Civil-Military Coordination through Civilian Joint Task Force, round verification; Early Warning signals and ocal intelligence validation; and Post-Strike Civilian Harm Assessment.

We recommend comprehensive upgrade in Defence critical hardware such as integration of ISR drones with real-time video feeds; facial recognition/pattern-of-life analytics; precision-guided weapons; secured communication systems linking pilots to ground intelligence units.

We call for a comprehensive Civilian Protection Policy across all armed forces, adequate Civilian Oversight, particularly National Assembly must enforce regular oversight hearings on military operations, and mandatory reporting of civilian casualty incidents.

CISLAC reiterates that civilian protection is not optional but a legal and moral obligation in every counter-terrorism operational planning and process. Counterterrorism operations that repeatedly result in civilian casualties are counterproductive and unsustainable.

We further call on the Nigerian government must urgently reform its operational, training, and accountability frameworks to ensure that such tragic incidents do not become a normalised feature of military operations.