A devastating airstrike in northeastern Nigeria has reportedly left at least 200 people feared dead after military jets targeted an area near a busy village market while pursuing Islamist militants. The incident occurred on Saturday night in a village in Yobe state, close to the border with Borno, a region long affected by insurgency-related violence.
According to local officials and residents, the strike hit the Jilli weekly market, where a large number of civilians had gathered. A local councillor and traditional leader from the area described the incident as catastrophic, stating that the death toll could exceed 200, with many others injured. Victims were reportedly rushed to hospitals across both Yobe and neighbouring Borno for urgent medical treatment.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed carrying out an operation in the region, stating that it had targeted Boko Haram militants in the Jilli axis of Borno state. However, its official statement did not acknowledge that a civilian market had been struck. Authorities have not yet provided a detailed clarification regarding the exact location or circumstances of the strike.
Meanwhile, the Yobe state government acknowledged that an airstrike had taken place near a market area and confirmed that civilians were among those affected. Emergency response teams were activated soon after preliminary reports of casualties emerged, and efforts are ongoing to assess the full scale of the damage and provide assistance to the injured.
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the incident. Survivors described scenes of panic and chaos as explosions struck the crowded market. One injured resident recounted how he attempted to flee before being pulled to safety by a companion, after which they lay on the ground amid the blasts.
The region where the strike occurred lies at the heart of a prolonged insurgency involving extremist groups, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions over the years. Military operations in such areas are frequent, but incidents involving civilian casualties have repeatedly raised concerns over targeting accuracy and operational protocols.
As investigations continue, the reported scale of the tragedy has intensified scrutiny on the conduct of military operations in conflict zones, particularly where civilian populations are present.
