NAF (2)
A Nigerian Air Force jet

No fewer than 50 people are feared dead and 120 others confirmed injured in a misfire by a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet on a Borno IDP camp. The air raid which also claimed the lives of aid workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross and  Doctors Without Borders (Medicines Sans Frontiers) was meant to be an attack on Boko Haram insurgents.

Major Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole (North-East operation against Boko Haram) has said during a news conference in Maiduguri on Tuesday that two soldiers were also affected during the operation. He said:

“This morning, we received a report about the gathering of Boko Haram terrorists around the Kala Balge area of Maiduguri. I coordinated and I directed that the air component of the operation should go and address the problem.

“Unfortunately, the strike was conducted but it turned out that the locals, somewhere in Rann, were affected. So far, it is a little bit disturbing; death has occurred. There are casualties; there were deaths and injuries but on the actual number of casualties, we would get back to you later.

“I am yet to get the number of casualties of civilians killed, but two soldiers were also affected. Some humanitarian staff of Medicines Sans Frontiers and some staff of International Committee of Red Cross were also affected. We are sending helicopters to evacuate those that were critically wounded, including our wounded soldiers.”

The Director of Operations of the MSF, Dr Jean-Clement Cabrol has condemned the attack saying: “This large-scale attack on vulnerable people who have already fled extreme violence is shocking and unacceptable.

“The safety of civilians must be respected. We are urgently calling on all parties to ensure the facilitation of medical evacuations by air or road for survivors who are in need of emergency care.”

The MSF is currently providing first aid and surgical treatment for wounded patients in their available facilities.