Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
Fear of civilian casualties has emerged following claims that Nigerian military jets targeted a village market in the north-east. The attack occurred near the border of Yobe and Borno states, amid ongoing operations against Islamist militants, according to Reuters and local accounts. The Nigerian Air Force confirmed air strikes targeting “identified terrorist locations” in the Jilli axis of Borno State on Saturday, though it has not officially stated whether the market was hit or if any deaths occurred.
Conflicting accounts have surfaced regarding the toll of the strike. Reuters, citing a local councillor, three residents, and an international humanitarian official, reported at least 200 people killed. Zanna Nur Geidam, the councillor, described the incident as “devastating,” adding that injured individuals were transported to hospitals in Yobe and Borno. In contrast, the Sun and Punch cited sources claiming only 10 fatalities and several injuries. However, the Daily Trust reported an eyewitness stating 56 people died, with 14 hospitalized.
The market, a hub for traders and buyers from nearby communities, is located in the Gubio local government area. On Sunday, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency shared “preliminary reports” of the incident, noting that “casualties affected some marketers.” While emergency teams were deployed, the agency emphasized that “details about the incident’s nature and casualty count remain unverified.”
“Launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method by anyone’s standard,” stated a post on X from Amnesty International’s Nigeria branch. “This reckless use of deadly force is unlawful and outrageous, highlighting the Nigerian military’s disregard for civilian lives.”
Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, representing Yobe State, confirmed that some residents from the Geidam local government area, bordering Borno, were impacted. Ahmed Ali, a 43-year-old trader, told Reuters he was injured in the blast. “I became so scared and tried to flee, but a friend pulled me back, and we all collapsed to the ground,” he recounted.
The northeastern region has witnessed repeated incidents where military air operations against Islamist insurgents have accidentally targeted civilians, including villages and displacement camps. The Boko Haram insurgency, which has displaced over two million people and claimed thousands of lives, continues to dominate the area’s security landscape.
