BREAKING: Three Killed, Several Injured as Nigerian Air Force Jet Mistakenly Bombs Civilians in Borno

At least three civilians have been confirmed dead while several others sustained injuries after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jet mistakenly bombed a civilian location in Mararaba community, Borno State, in what has been described as another tragic accidental airstrike.

The incident occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., at a busy junction in Mararaba where fishermen, traders and commercial drivers had gathered to transport fish and other goods to nearby markets. Witnesses said the area was bustling with activity when the jet struck, turning what was meant to be a normal trading day into a scene of chaos, destruction and grief.

Local residents reported that the victims included fishermen returning from nearby waters and commercial drivers waiting for passengers and goods. Several vehicles parked at the junction were destroyed by the blast, while bodies and debris were scattered across the area. Survivors were said to have fled in panic as smoke rose from the scene.

Those who sustained injuries were rushed to the General Hospital in Monguno, where they are currently receiving treatment. Hospital sources said some of the injured were in critical condition, though the exact number of casualties is yet to be officially confirmed.

What has further angered residents and rights groups is the timing of the incident. The strike reportedly occurred just hours after the Nigerian Air Force publicly reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians during military operations, especially in conflict-affected areas of the country’s North-East. For many in Mararaba, the incident has deepened mistrust and raised fresh questions about the conduct of air operations in civilian-populated areas.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force has not released an official statement acknowledging the civilian casualties or explaining the circumstances that led to the bombing. Efforts to get comments from military authorities were unsuccessful.

The Mararaba incident adds to a growing list of accidental airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force over the years, many of which have resulted in significant civilian deaths and injuries. Human rights organisations and security analysts have repeatedly expressed concern over what they describe as weak intelligence gathering, poor coordination, and the use of air power in densely populated areas.

Since 2017, more than 300 civilians have reportedly been killed in accidental NAF airstrikes across different parts of Nigeria, with many more injured and displaced. One of the most tragic cases occurred in January 2017 in Rann, a town in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State, where a NAF jet bombed a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The strike killed over 100 civilians, including women, children and humanitarian aid workers, and drew widespread condemnation both locally and internationally.

In another notable incident in January 2023, at least 39 civilians were killed and six others injured when a NAF aircraft mistakenly targeted cattle herders in Nasarawa State. The military later described that operation as a case of “mistaken identity,” stating that the herders were wrongly believed to be armed bandits.

Despite repeated assurances by the military that measures are being put in place to prevent such tragedies, accidental airstrikes have continued to occur, particularly in regions affected by insurgency, banditry and communal violence. Critics argue that civilians often bear the brunt of errors in military operations, while accountability remains limited.

Residents of Mararaba have called on the federal government and military authorities to carry out a transparent investigation into the incident and provide compensation to affected families. Some community leaders also urged the military to improve engagement with local communities and strengthen intelligence verification before launching air operations.

“This is not the first time innocent people are dying like this, and nothing changes,” a resident said. “We are fishermen and traders, not terrorists. The government must do better.”

As families prepare to bury their dead and the injured struggle to recover, the latest tragedy has once again brought renewed attention to the human cost of Nigeria’s air campaign and the urgent need for reforms to protect civilians in conflict zones.