Nigerian Air Force

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is the air branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is currently newsworthy due to a recent airstrike in northeast Nigeria, specifically in Yobe state near the Borno border. The NAF stated the strike targeted Boko Haram militants in the Jilli axis of Borno state. However, reports from local sources, Amnesty International, and news agencies indicate the strike hit a village market, resulting in a high number of civilian casualties. Estimates range from at least 100 to 200 feared dead. While officials have confirmed a misfire occurred, details remain limited. The incident has raised concerns about the NAF's operational accuracy and the protection of civilians during counter-insurgency operations against Islamist militants in the region. The event underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing security objectives with the need to minimize harm to non-combatants in conflict zones.