The Nigerian Air Force killed at least 50 civilians by accident in an air strike against Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, on Tuesday.
Aid workers of the International Committee of Red Cross and Medicines Sans Frontiers were some of the fatalities.
“We regret that among the casualties of today’s air strikes in Rann, there are six Nigerian RC members killed and 13 wounded,” a Red Cross spokeswoman told AFP in a text message.
Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Lucky Irabor, confirmed that the strike took place on Tuesday morning at Kala Balge Local Government Area in Borno State.
“This morning, we received a report about the gathering of Boko Haram terrorists around Kala Balge area of Maiduguri,” Irabor said during a press briefing in Maiduguri.
“I coordinated and I directed that the air component of the operation should go and address the problem.
“Unfortunately, the strike was conducted but it turned out that other civilians were somewhere around the area and they were affected.
“So far, it is a little bit disturbing; death has occurred. There are casualties; there were deaths and injuries but on the actual number of casualties, we would get back to you later.
“I am yet to get the number of casualties of civilians killed, but two soldiers were also affected.
“Some humanitarian staff of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and some staff of International Committee of Red Cross were also affected.
“We are sending helicopters to evacuate those that were critically wounded, including our wounded soldiers.”
