At least 100 civilians were killed in a Nigerian military airstrike on a busy market in northwestern Zamfara state, according to Amnesty International on Tuesday, which called for an immediate investigation into the incident. The strike targeted Tumfa market in Zurmi district on Sunday and marked the second deadly attack on a crowded market in northern Nigeria within a month. The Nigerian military had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting. However, it has previously maintained that its air operations are based on intelligence and aimed only at militant targets, denying allegations of deliberately hitting civilians. Amnesty International, quoting eyewitnesses, said military aircraft were first seen flying over the area around midday before returning nearly two hours later to bomb the crowded market. In a similar incident in April, about 200 civilians were reportedly killed when an airstrike hit a weekly market in Jilli, northeastern Nigeria. Authorities later launched an investigation into that attack. Residents in northern Nigeria say they are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing number of civilian casualties resulting from military operations and air raids. Nigerian security forces have been fighting armed bandit groups in the northwest and a 17-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast. Last Christmas Day, the United States carried out strikes on what it described as Islamist bases in northwestern Nigeria after U.S. President Donald Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians. Amnesty International condemned the latest airstrike, saying it reflected a dangerous pattern of human rights abuses affecting ordinary villagers caught between armed groups, bandits, and military operations. The rights group described the strikes as unlawful and accused authorities of showing disregard for civilian lives. Reporting by Ardo Hazza in Bauchi; Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Peter Graff. Post navigation Museveni swears in as First Lady notably absent Kisanja No Sleep: Museveni swears in for another term in office