Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
No fewer than 56 people, mostly traders, are feared dead and several others injured following an airstrike that struck a busy weekly market at the border of Borno State and Yobe State on Saturday.
The incident occurred at Jilli Market, a bustling commercial centre situated between Gubio and Geidam Local Government Areas, where traders and buyers from surrounding communities had gathered for routine business activities.
Sources indicated that the airstrike was carried out during a military operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to have infiltrated the market to collect levies and procure supplies. However, the operation reportedly missed its intended target, resulting in heavy civilian casualties.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as multiple fighter jets flew overhead and explosions rang out. One resident recounted that the attack occurred at about 2:46 p.m. while trading was ongoing.
“I counted 56 bodies myself and assisted in rescuing two injured persons who were taken to the hospital. The number may rise as more victims are being recovered,” the witness said.
At least 14 injured victims were rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Geidam, with some later referred to a teaching hospital in Damaturu for advanced care.
Confirming the incident, the councillor of Fichimaram Ward, Malam Lawan Zanna, said the casualty figure remains fluid as rescue efforts continue. He noted that panic ensued as people attempted to flee, but the strikes persisted, compounding the tragedy.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd), acknowledged the incident but clarified that Jilli village falls within Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force has yet to issue an official statement on the airstrike.
The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over civilian safety in conflict zones, particularly in areas where military operations against insurgents frequently intersect with civilian life.
