…NAF Confirms Operation but Silent on Civilian Casualties
….Yobe Govt Says Target Was Boko Haram Stronghold
…Amnesty, Atiku Demand Probe, Accountability Over Civilian Deaths
Several persons are feared killed while many others sustained injuries following suspected accidental airstrikes at Jilli Market near Fuchimiram village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Saturday as traders and residents gathered for routine commercial activities in the busy weekly market located along the Borno–Yobe border.
Jilli, a remote border community linking Geidam in Yobe State to Damasak in Borno State, lies more than 200 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
Although the incident has yet to receive official confirmation from authorities at the time of filing this report, multiple eyewitness accounts suggest heavy civilian casualties.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that the strikes occurred at the peak of market activity, catching traders and locals off guard.
According to the source, confusion and panic gripped the area as explosions rang out, forcing people to flee for safety.
Eyewitnesses who visited the Geidam Specialist Hospital said the facility has been overwhelmed by the influx of casualties.
Several victims were said to be receiving emergency treatment, with the hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit reportedly overstretched.
Images obtained from the hospital showed injured persons lying on stretchers and floors as medical personnel battled to stabilise them.
Another local source revealed that the military operation may have been targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to have infiltrated the market to collect levies from residents.
It was gathered that the insurgents had reportedly converged in the area shortly before the airstrikes were carried out.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed conducting air operations in the Jilli axis, though it did not acknowledge any civilian casualties.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said the strikes formed part of precision follow-up “mop-up” operations on April 11, 2026.
The air component, working in coordination with ground troops under Operation HADIN KAI, said it targeted fleeing insurgents and regrouping terrorist cells in the area.
The statement noted that the operation was driven by credible intelligence aimed at neutralising threats and consolidating earlier gains by security forces.
According to the NAF, the strikes were intended to deny terrorists freedom of movement and prevent further attacks on both military formations and civilian communities.
The force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and restoring stability across the North-East, particularly in volatile areas of Borno State.
However, the absence of any reference to civilian casualties in the official statement has continued to raise concerns among residents and observers.
Local reports, however, indicate that the death toll could be significantly high, with some estimates suggesting dozens of fatalities.
A local councillor, Malam Lawan Zanna, confirmed the attack, stating that residents attempted to flee when fighter jets began firing, but were unable to escape the impact zone.
He added that more than 20 injured persons were initially hospitalised, with some later succumbing to their injuries.
The Yobe State Government has since clarified that the operation targeted a Boko Haram stronghold in Jilli, located within Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a statement by Dahiru Abdulsalam, Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Governor, the strike was not directed at civilians.
He, however, acknowledged that some residents from Geidam in Yobe State who had gone to the market were affected by the incident.
Abdulsalam confirmed that victims were evacuated to Geidam Specialist Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Reacting to the development, Amnesty International condemned the airstrike, alleging that over 100 civilians may have been killed in the attack.
The organisation criticised the use of air power in a civilian setting, describing it as unlawful and reckless.
It called on Nigerian authorities to immediately launch an independent investigation and ensure accountability for any wrongdoing.
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the incident as a “devastating failure,” lamenting the loss of innocent lives.
In a statement shared on his official X account, Atiku questioned the value placed on Nigerian lives, urging authorities to review operational strategies and prioritise civilian protection.
He stressed that safeguarding citizens from both insurgents and flawed military operations remains the core responsibility of government.
As of press time, both Yobe and Borno State governments are yet to provide a comprehensive account of the incident, while affected communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy.
