Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
Fears of civilian casualties have emerged following claims that Nigerian military jets targeted a village market in the north-east of the country. The attack occurred near the border between Yobe and Borno states, as reported by Reuters and local sources, during an operation against Islamist militants in the region. The Nigerian Air Force stated it conducted “mop-up” strikes on “identified terrorist locations” within Borno State’s Jilli axis on Saturday, though it has not confirmed the market was hit or the extent of casualties.
The area is central to the ongoing Boko Haram conflict, which has displaced over two million people and claimed thousands of lives. The Air Force claimed its follow-on strikes were intended to “neutralize fleeing remnants and regrouping cells” in difficult terrain. However, conflicting accounts have surfaced regarding the number of fatalities. Reuters cited a councillor in Yobe’s Geidam district, along with three residents and an international humanitarian official, stating at least 200 people were killed in the strike.
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It’s a very devastating incident,” said Zanna Nur Geidam, who reported that injured individuals were transported to hospitals in Yobe and Borno states.
Other Nigerian outlets, including the Sun and Punch, reported fewer casualties, with sources claiming 10 deaths and several injuries. In contrast, the Daily Trust noted an eyewitness described at least 56 fatalities, with 14 others hospitalized. The market, which typically draws traders and buyers from surrounding communities, was reportedly struck during the operation.
In a Facebook statement, Yobe State’s Emergency Management Agency mentioned receiving “preliminary reports” of an incident at Jilli Market in Gubio local government area. It noted that “some marketers” were affected but emphasized that “details remain unverified.” The neighboring Yobe state government confirmed that residents from its Geidam local government area, bordering Borno, were among those impacted.
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Some people from Geidam LGA [local government area] bordering Gubio LGA in Borno state who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected,” said Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam on Facebook.
Ahmed Ali, a 43-year-old trader, shared his experience with Reuters, describing how he was injured in the blast. “I became so scared and attempted to run away, but a friend dragged me and we all lay on the ground,” he recounted. Amnesty International’s Nigeria branch criticized the strike, asserting it killed “over 100 people” and labeling the use of air raids as “unlawful and outrageous,” highlighting the military’s alleged disregard for civilian lives.
Nigeria’s northeast has witnessed multiple incidents in recent years where military air operations against Islamist groups mistakenly targeted civilians, including villages, refugee camps, and markets.