Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
Reports of an air strike targeting a market in Nigeria’s northeast have raised concerns about civilian casualties. The incident occurred near the Yobe and Borno state border, according to Reuters and local accounts, during a military operation against Islamist militants. The Nigerian Air Force stated it conducted “mop-up” strikes on “identified terrorist locations” in the Jilli axis of Borno State on Saturday but did not confirm whether the market was hit or if any deaths were reported.
The region remains a focal point of the Boko Haram conflict, which has displaced over two million people and caused numerous fatalities. The Air Force’s statement emphasized that the follow-on attacks were intended to disrupt remaining militant groups and their ability to regroup in rugged terrain. However, the exact number of casualties remains unclear, with differing accounts from various sources.
Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, a councillor in Yobe’s Geidam district, and three residents, along with an international humanitarian official, told Reuters that at least 200 individuals were killed in the attack. “This was a very devastating incident,” Geidam said, adding that the injured were transported to hospitals in Yobe and Borno. Meanwhile, other Nigerian outlets reported lower tolls, with the Sun and Punch citing 10 deaths and several injuries, while the Daily Trust noted an eyewitness claiming 56 fatalities and 14 hospitalizations.
“Launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method by anyone’s standard,” a post on X said. “Such reckless use of deadly force is unlawful, outrageous and lays bare the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect.”
Ahmed Ali, a 43-year-old trader, described his experience to Reuters: “I became so scared and attempted to run away, but a friend dragged me and we all lay on the ground.” The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency shared preliminary reports of an incident at Jilli Market in the Gubio local government area, stating that emergency teams were deployed to assess the situation, though details about the casualty count were still unconfirmed.
Amnesty International’s Nigeria branch criticized the strike, alleging that over 100 people were killed. The organization highlighted the recurring pattern of civilian harm in military operations, including instances where villages, displaced persons’ camps, and markets were mistakenly attacked. Such incidents have sparked ongoing debates about the military’s tactics in the region.