Nigerian fighter jet mistakenly bombs refugee camp
A Nigerian air force fighter jet on a mission against Boko Haram extremists mistakenly bombed a refugee camp, killing more than 100 refugees and aid workers.
Military commander Major General Lucky Irabor confirmed an accidental bombardment in the north-eastern town of Rann, near the border with Cameroon, saying "some" civilians were killed on Tuesday.
It was believed to be the first time Nigeria's military has admitted to making such a mistake in a region where villagers have in the past reported civilian casualties in the near-daily bombings targeting the Islamic militants.
A Borno state official, who was helping to co-ordinate the evacuation of wounded from the remote area by helicopters, said more than 100 refugees and aid workers were among the dead.
Injured people are comforted at the site of the bombing attack in Rann, Nigeria. Photo: MSF/Reuters
Doctors Without Borders said its team based in Rann had thus far counted 52 bodies and were treating 120 wounded.
"This large-scale attack on vulnerable people who have already fled from extreme violence is shocking and unacceptable," said Dr. Jean-Clement Cabrol, the aid group's director of operations.
"The safety of civilians must be respected."
Locals survey the damage. Photo: MSF/Reuters
The International Committee for the Red Cross said six workers with the Nigerian Red Cross were among the dead and 13 were wounded.
"They were part of a team that had brought in desperately needed food for over 25,000 displaced persons," spokesman Jason Straziuso said in a statement from Nairobi, Kenya.
Two soldiers were also wounded, as well as Nigerians working for Doctors Without Borders.
Doctors Without Borders spokesman Etienne l'Hermitte in Geneva urged authorities to facilitate cross-border land and air evacuations.
"Our medical and surgical teams in Cameroon and Chad are ready to treat wounded patients. We are in close contact with our teams, who are in shock following the event," the statement said.
