At least 56 people, mostly traders, have been killed in an accidental airstrike on Jilli weekly market along the border communities of Borno State and Yobe State, in what has triggered fresh concerns over civilian safety in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon at Jilli Market between Gubio and Geidam Local Government Areas, left several others injured, with 14 victims currently receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Geidam.
Multiple eyewitness accounts and local officials said the strike was carried out during a military operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to have been extorting traders in the area.
Residents said the weekly market—known to attract traders from Gubio, Chiweram, Benisheikh, Gurokayeya and Geidam—was in full commercial activity around 2:46 p.m. when the airstrike occurred.
An eyewitness, who claimed to have assisted in rescue efforts, said the attack involved multiple fighter jets.
“The incident happened around 2:46 p.m. while business was ongoing. Four fighter jets carried out the operation, but we only heard explosions,” the witness said.
The source added that at least 56 bodies were counted shortly after the strike, warning that the death toll could rise as more remains were being recovered.
A councillor representing Fichimaram Ward in Geidam LGA, Malam Lawan Zanna, confirmed the incident, noting that several injured victims were rushed to hospital.
He said over 20 persons were initially admitted at the Specialist Hospital in Geidam, while two others were referred to the Teaching Hospital in Damaturu.
According to him, the death toll rose after some of the injured later died in hospital, bringing fatalities to over 30 in earlier counts before additional recoveries pushed the figure to about 56.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Yobe State on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Abdulsalam Dahiru (retd.), said preliminary information suggested the affected community might fall under Gubio LGA in Borno State, creating uncertainty over jurisdiction of the incident.
He said he had contacted the Geidam Local Government chairman, who clarified that the village lies within Borno territory.
Military yet to speak
As of press time, the Nigerian Air Force had not issued an official statement on the incident.
The air force had reportedly been conducting operations in the general area targeting Boko Haram fighters, but it was unclear how the market was struck during the mission.
Rising concerns over civilian casualties
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over repeated accidental strikes in the North-East, where military operations against insurgents have sometimes resulted in civilian deaths.
Community leaders and residents are calling for urgent investigation, accountability, and improved precision in air operations to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
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