Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 7th Dec. UN human rights office said on Wednesday that the authorities in Nigeria must investigate a string of deadly airstrikes over the past six years and hold those responsible to account,.
OHCHR issued a statement deplored the latest strike which took place in Kaduna state in the north on Tuesday and left at least 80 civilians dead and more than 60 injured.
Spokesperson Seif Magango said “While we note that the authorities have termed the civilian deaths as accidental, we call on them to take all feasible steps in future to ensure civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected consistent with Nigeria’s international law obligations”.
OHCHR urged the authorities to review rules of engagement and standard operating procedures to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
The human rights office was “particularly alarmed by reports that the strike was based on the ‘pattern of activities’ of those at the scene which was wrongly analyzed and misinterpreted,” he said, adding “there are serious concerns as to whether so-called ‘pattern of life’ strikes sufficiently comply with international law.”
The statement called for the Nigerian authorities to investigate all alleged violations of international law including deaths and injuries from airstrikes.
Those responsible must be held to account, while victims and their families should receive “adequate reparations”.
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