At least 200 individuals are feared dead following Nigerian military airstrikes on a village market during operations against Islamist militants in the northeast region on Saturday night, as per reports from a local councillor and residents on Sunday.
The Nigerian Air Force announced the elimination of Boko Haram militants in the Jilli area of Borno state. However, their statement to Reuters did not acknowledge the market strike, and they did not provide additional comments upon request.
The government of Yobe state confirmed an airstrike near a market attended by civilians. Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, the military adviser to the Yobe state government, mentioned that individuals from Geidam LGA bordering Gubio LGA in Borno state were impacted while visiting the Jilli weekly market.
The incident took place in a Yobe village bordering Borno, the epicenter of a prolonged insurgency that has resulted in numerous casualties and the displacement of millions.
Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, the councillor and traditional leader of Fuchimeram ward in Yobe’s Geidam district, reported to Reuters that over 200 casualties were being transported to hospitals in Yobe and Borno due to injuries sustained in the tragic airstrike at Jilli Market.
Multiple residents and an official from an international humanitarian organization corroborated the airstrike and the estimated death toll. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) responded to the incident at Jilli Market, which reportedly caused casualties among traders, by activating emergency protocols.
Ahmed Ali, a market vendor who sells medical supplies, recounted being injured in the blast and seeking refuge on the ground during the chaotic situation at the market.
The aftermath of the airstrike underscores the ongoing challenges faced in the region due to the persistent violence and unrest.