A devastating airstrike has left a trail of death and destruction at a bustling weekly market along the Borno–Yobe border, with no fewer than 56 people feared killed and several others injured in what witnesses describe as a tragic case of mistaken targeting.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at Jilli Market, a major commercial hub situated between Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State and Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State. The market, known for drawing traders and buyers from surrounding communities, was reportedly at peak activity when the attack happened.
According to multiple local sources, the airstrike is believed to have been carried out by the Nigerian Air Force during an operation targeting suspected members of the insurgent group Boko Haram. However, the strike allegedly missed its intended targets and instead hit civilians engaged in routine trading activities.
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of chaos and horror. One survivor recounted that the attack occurred at approximately 2:46 p.m., when the market was crowded with traders selling food items, livestock, and other goods.
“Four fighter jets carried out the strike. We suddenly heard loud explosions, and people began to run in all directions,” the eyewitness said. “I personally counted 56 bodies and assisted in rescuing two injured persons to the hospital. But the number could be higher, as more bodies are still being recovered.”
The weekly market serves as a vital economic lifeline for residents from nearby communities including Gubio, Chiweram, and Benisheikh in Borno State, as well as Gurokayeya and Geidam in Yobe State. Its strategic location has also, however, made it vulnerable to infiltration by insurgents who reportedly use such gatherings to collect levies and procure supplies.
Local officials have provided varying casualty figures as rescue efforts continue. The councillor of Fichimaram Ward, Malam Lawan Zanna, confirmed the incident and stated that over 20 injured victims were rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Geidam for treatment.
“In the immediate aftermath, more than 30 people were confirmed dead, and over 20 others were hospitalized,” Zanna said. “Sadly, nine of those receiving treatment later died, increasing the death toll significantly.”
Medical personnel at the Geidam facility are reportedly overwhelmed, with some critically injured victims referred to the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu for advanced care.
Security officials have also acknowledged the incident, though details remain unclear. The Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd), confirmed that the attack took place but clarified that the affected village falls within Borno State jurisdiction.
“I have been in contact with the chairman of Geidam Local Government, who confirmed that Jilli village is under Gubio LGA of Borno State,” Dahiru stated, urging journalists to seek further clarification from authorities in Maiduguri.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force has yet to release an official statement regarding the operation or the reported civilian casualties. The silence has raised concerns among residents and human rights observers, who are calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike.
This incident adds to a growing list of accidental airstrikes in Nigeria’s northeast, a region that has endured over a decade of insurgency and counterinsurgency operations. While military offensives have recorded significant successes against terrorist elements, cases of civilian casualties continue to spark outrage and highlight the complexities of modern warfare in densely populated conflict zones.
For grieving families, however, the debate over strategy and security means little in the face of sudden loss. What was meant to be an ordinary day of trade and survival has turned into a day of mourning—another painful chapter in the long and troubled history of Nigeria’s fight against insurgency.
