Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market

Fears of civilian fatalities have emerged following claims that Nigerian military jets targeted a village market in the northeast. The incident occurred near the border of Yobe and Borno states, as part of ongoing military operations against Islamist militants, according to Reuters and local media. The Nigerian Air Force stated it conducted “mop-up” strikes on “identified terrorist locations” within Borno State’s Jilli axis on Saturday, but has not confirmed hitting the market or reporting casualties.

Conflicting casualty figures

Discrepancies exist over the number of people affected. Reuters cited Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, a Yobe district councillor, and three residents along with an international humanitarian official, suggesting at least 200 had died. “It’s a very devastating incident,” Geidam said, noting injured individuals were transported to hospitals in Yobe and Borno.

“Launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method by anyone’s standard,” a post on X claimed. “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.”

Other reports varied: the Sun and Punch claimed 10 fatalities, with several injured, while the Daily Trust reported an eyewitness stating 56 had perished and 14 hospitalized. The market, which typically draws traders and buyers from nearby communities, is central to the Boko Haram conflict, displacing over two million people and claiming thousands of lives.

The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency shared “preliminary reports” of an incident at Jilli Market in Gubio local government area on Sunday. It confirmed casualties among vendors but noted that “details regarding the nature of the incident and the number of casualties remain unverified.” Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, representing Yobe state, stated some residents from the neighboring Geidam local government area had been impacted.

Ahmed Ali, a 43-year-old trader, told Reuters he sustained injuries during 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. The northeast has witnessed repeated incidents where military air strikes against Islamist groups have mistakenly targeted civilians, including markets and displaced persons camps.