Dozens Dead After Nigerian Air Force Bombs Refugee Camp, Aid Group Says

iStock/Thinkstock(RANN, Nigeria) — At least 52 people were killed and about 120 injured after the Nigerian Air Force bombed a camp for displaced people in Rann, Nigeria, according to a humanitarian aid group.

In a statement, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said the Nigerian Army, which is on a mission fighting Boko Haram militants, accidentally bombed the refugee camp, and called it a “regrettable operational mistake.”

Dr. Jean-Clément Cabrol, director of operations with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, said the “large-scale attack” was “shocking and unacceptable.”

“The safety of civilians must be respected,” Cabrol said. “We are urgently calling on all parties to ensure the facilitation of medical evacuations by air or road for survivors who are in need of emergency care.”

The aid group said many of the victims had already fled attacks by Boko Haram.

According to BBC, the incident is believed to be the first time Nigeria’s military has admitted to making a mistake.

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