‘Two killed’, many injured as military helicopter opens fire on Niger state community

At least two civilians have reportedly been killed after asecurity force helicopter opened fire on civilians in Kurgi, Maria LGA of Nigerstate. The incident, which occurred on January 25, was also said tohave left several people, including children, injured. According to a report by Aldebaran Threat Consultants, theaircraft hovered the area before the operation. The air strike was said to be part of a wave of militaryoperations launched in Kwara and Niger around January 20 in response to a surgein crime and terrorism in northern areas of the state over the past months. Reacting to the incident in a statement, the Nigerian AirForce (NAF) said it had taken note of allegations of civilian casualtiesfollowing its air operations in Kurigi village. The statement signed by Ehimen Ejodame, NAF spokesperson,said the force “acknowledges the gravity of the reported loss of lives andinjuries” and expressed “deep concern for all affected”. “Over the past year, the NAF has consistently applied itsCivilian Harm Mitigation and Response – Action Plan (CHMR-AP), embeddingcivilian protection considerations into all phases of operations whilestrengthening training, procedures, and safeguards aimed at minimising harm,”the statement reads. NAF said a civilian harm accident and investigation (CHAI)team has been activated to carry out an “immediate and comprehensiveinvestigation into the reported incident”. “Guided by the principles of accountability, responsibility,and transparency, the NAF assures Nigerians of its unwavering resolve to takeresponsibility where required, implement necessary improvements, and safeguardinnocent lives, while continuing to defend the nation with professionalism,restraint, and respect for the trust placed in it by the Nigerian people,” thestatement reads.

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