Accidental Bombing Kills 100+
In a mission that was intended to target the Boko Haram, an Islamic Terrorist group, a Nigerian fighter jet mistakenly dropped a bomb on a refugee camp killing dozens of refugees and volunteers.
From USA Today:
A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet on a mission against Boko Haram extremists mistakenly bombed a refugee camp Tuesday, killing more than 100 refugees and wounding aid workers, a Borno state official said. A Red Cross worker said 20 volunteers with the aid group had been killed.
The state government official, who was helping to coordinate the evacuation of wounded from the remote area by helicopters, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.
Military commander Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor confirmed the accidental bombardment in northeast Rann, near the border with Cameroon.
The #Nigeria leading #military intervention in #Gambia bombs a #refugee camp by “error”, killing hundreds. #Gambia https://t.co/sLEWUZD9Km
— Africa Insights (@AfricaInsights) January 17, 2017
The Boko Haram is Nigeria’s militant Islamic terrorist group. They have carried out bombings, assassinations, and numerous kidnappings throughout the country. They are fighting to overthrow the government in Nigeria and create an Islamic State.
From the BBC:
Boko Haram promotes a version of Islam which makes it “haram”, or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with Western society.
This includes voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education.
Boko Haram regards the Nigerian state as being run by non-believers, regardless of whether the president is Muslim or not – and it has extended its military campaign by targeting neighbouring states.
The group’s official name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad”.
Photos
First images of aftermath of Nigeria army attack on refugee camp, from MSF now struggling to help wounded. A bloody blunder. pic.twitter.com/8HCejJeqpX
— John Ray (@johnrayitv) January 17, 2017
#Learnfromnazrul.in Mission against Boko Haram goes wrong, Nigeria bombs refugee camp killing at least… https://t.co/K1sK6SGuib Via #India pic.twitter.com/fVB6VUaAR7
— NI INDILENS (@NIndilens) January 17, 2017
Nigerian military says it accidentally killed an unknown number of civilians in a strike a @AJEnglish https://t.co/N9dZZ9A0wn pic.twitter.com/w4uTqbv5r6
— LadyGracielly☜♡👑 (@LadyGracielly) January 17, 2017
Dozens of people were killed when an air force jet accidentally bombarded a refugee camp in Nigeria https://t.co/KruhlO1o3g pic.twitter.com/RgDFq2lZxW
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) January 17, 2017