Amnesty International reported in January that fighter jets sent by the Nigerian Air Force fired rockets at villages where Fulani herdsmen were attacking Christian residents and were responsible for at least 35 deaths.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that jets were dispatched in December, but said they were instructed to fire only ‘warning shots’ to deter spiralling communal violence.
In response, Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said: ‘Launching air raids is not a legitimate law-enforcement method by anyone’s standard. Such reckless use of deadly force is unlawful, outrageous and lays bare the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect.’
