An accidental military airstrike targeting insurgents at the Jilli border market has left at least 56 traders dead and many others hospitalized in Yobe and Borno states.
At least 56 people are feared dead and dozens more injured following an accidental airstrike by a fighter jet on Jilli Market, a busy weekly trading hub located on the border between Borno and Yobe states. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon while business activities were at their peak. Reports suggest the strike was intended for Boko Haram insurgents who were allegedly at the market to collect illegal levies, but the munitions hit civilian areas instead.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos as four fighter jets appeared overhead, with the explosions causing immediate mass casualties among traders and buyers from surrounding communities. While official figures are still being verified, local sources and hospital officials in Geidam confirmed that at least 20 people were hospitalized, with several dying shortly after admission. Rescue efforts are ongoing as more bodies are reportedly being recovered from the site.
There has been significant confusion regarding the jurisdiction of the strike, with Yobe State security officials claiming the village falls under Gubio LGA in Borno State. As of Sunday evening, the Nigerian Air Force has yet to release an official statement regarding the botched operation. The incident marks another tragic chapter in the ongoing conflict, where accidental “friendly fire” continues to claim the lives of innocent civilians in the Northeast.