A Nigerian fighter jet misfired and killed some soldiers, aid workers of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), the Medicines Sans Frontiers and civilians in Kala Balge in Borno State.
The incident was confirmed on Tuesday to journalists in Maiduguri by the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor.
Although the military said they were awaiting the death toll, the Medicine Sans Frontiers (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, said that at least 52 people were killed after the fighter jet accidentally dropped a bomb on an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs’) Camp. MSF officials, who were present at the Rann Camp in Borno State when the incident occurred, said 102 people were injured.
In a statement made available to journalists in Maiduguri, MSF said that it is offering first aid to the 120 injured persons in Rann.
MSF’s Director of Operations, Jean-Clément Cabrol, said: “This large-scale attack on vulnerable people who have already fled from extreme violence is shocking and unacceptable.
“The safety of civilians must be respected. We are urgently calling on all parties to ensure the facilitation of medical evacuations by air or road for survivors who are in need of emergency care.”
Earlier, Irabor had said that the military authorities were still awaiting the total casualty figures.
He said that the strike was authorized by the Army following reports that Boko Haram insurgents had regrouped in a particular location in the state.
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