Scores of suspected Boko Haram members and their sympathisers were feared dead following an airstrike on a weekly market along the Borno–Yobe border, reportedly targeted during a military operation by the Nigerian Air Force.
The market, known as Jilli, had allegedly been shut by the Borno State Government years ago but was still said to attract traders and residents from surrounding communities. The incident has sparked fresh controversy over possible civilian casualties.
The Air Force, operating under Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed awareness of reports suggesting civilian deaths and said it had launched an investigation into the incident.
Eyewitness accounts claimed that multiple fighter jets carried out the strike around mid-afternoon while market activities were ongoing. Some residents alleged that dozens of people were killed, with conflicting reports putting the death toll at over 30, while others claimed it could be higher as more bodies were still being recovered.
According to local sources, panic broke out when explosions rocked the area, forcing traders and buyers to flee for safety. Some victims were reportedly rushed to hospitals in Geidam, Yobe State, where several remain in critical condition.
Authorities in both Borno and Yobe states, however, maintained that those affected were largely terrorists and collaborators who had been using the market as a logistics hub, despite its closure years earlier.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, through his media aide, said the location had long been identified as a notorious meeting point for insurgents and their suppliers. He added that the government had already shut down the market in line with security recommendations.
The Yobe State Government also confirmed that while some civilians may have been caught in the strikes, the operation targeted Boko Haram enclaves in the area. It said affected victims had been evacuated and were receiving treatment.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), described the strike as a necessary action against terrorist strongholds, noting that insurgents had repeatedly exploited civilian areas for operations. He, however, acknowledged reports of civilian casualties as regrettable.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force said it had activated its Civilian Harm Investigation mechanism to determine the accuracy of the claims. It assured that findings would be made public after a thorough review and urged the public to avoid speculation.
The Medical Director of the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, also raised concerns over a shortage of blood, revealing that several victims from the attack were receiving urgent treatment.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the incident as a devastating failure, calling for accountability and reforms to prevent further civilian losses during military operations.
In Zamfara State, separate attacks by armed bandits also left at least 18 people dead in Bunkasau village, further highlighting worsening insecurity across parts of the country.
Security operations continue in the affected regions as authorities assess the full impact of the airstrike and ongoing violence in the North-East.
