Death toll in Nigeria airstrike on civilians reaches 90

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – The death toll from Tuesday’s airstrike on a camp for internally displaced people in northeastern Rann town has risen to 90 from the earlier reported figure of 52, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) on Friday.

“Around 90 people were killed when a Nigerian airforce plane circled twice and dropped two bombs in the middle of the town of Rann, which hosts thousands of internally displaced people,” MSF said in a statement.

Locals and community leaders claim the death toll is higher, putting the figure at 170, the statement said.

Bruno Jochum, MSF general-director, said in the statement: “This figure needs to be confirmed. The victims of this horrifying event deserve a transparent account of what happened and the circumstances in which this attack took place.”

On Thursday, authorities opened a probe into the airstrike said to be carried out “by mistake” by a Nigerian fighter jet. According to the military, the jet intended to target a gathering of Boko militants in Kala Balge area of the restive Borno state.

A six-man panel is expected to submit its report into the incident on Feb. 2.