The Nigerian Air Force has launched an investigation into reports that at least 15 people were killed in air strikes in Farah state.

Air strikes targeting criminal gangs in northwest Nigeria accidentally killed civilians, officials and reports citing locals said.

The Nigerian Air Force over the weekend targeted alleged bandits who killed villagers and carried out mass kidnappinglocated in Maradun and Zurmi local government areas.

Suleiman Bara Idris said: “Unfortunately, some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local security personnel were affected during the operation in Tongalkara.”

He added that members of local vigilante groups were “wrongly identified as bandits fleeing” the Zulmi region.

Officials did not provide an exact death toll, but the Associated Press quoted resident Salisu Maradun as saying they counted as many as 20 bodies and that 10 others were being treated for injuries. Residents also told Reuters that at least 15 civilians were killed, including local security personnel.

The Air Force said it had launched a “comprehensive investigation” into the incident and pledged to work to “minimize and mitigate any harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

It added that its operation “succeeded in neutralizing several bandits and resulted in the rescue of some kidnapping victims”.

In recent years, the air force has increasingly used airstrikes to target armed groups and gangs in northwestern and central Nigeria.

However, air strikes have accidentally killed civilians on many occasions, including in December 2023, when more than 80 civilians were killed at a religious gathering in northern Kaduna State.

Lagos-based research firm SBM Intelligence said military airstrikes have killed about 400 civilians since 2017.