Nigeria’s army “mistakenly” kills refugees and wounds aid workers

World Today

Nigeria Aid CriticismIn this Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, file photo, people displaced by Islamist extremists fetch water at the Muna camp in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Aid agencies including UNICEF are profiting from funds meant to help refugees from Boko Haram’s Islamic uprising and should leave Nigeria, the governor of the country’s embattled northeastern state of Borno said. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, File)

A Nigerian state official says an Air Force fighter jet on a mission against Boko Haram extremists has mistakenly bombed a refugee camp, killing more than 100 refugees and wounding aid workers.

The Borno state government official is helping to coordinate the evacuation of wounded. The official spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to reporters.

Military commander Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor confirms the accidental bombardment in northeast Rann, near the border with Cameroon. The general says among the wounded are Nigerians working for Doctors Without Borders and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

This is believed to be the first time Nigeria’s military has admitted to making such a mistake.


Story by the Associated Press.