No fewer than 30 persons are feared to have lost their lives after a military airstrike reportedly struck a busy weekly market in Jilli village, located along the border between Borno and Yobe states.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening at the popular Jilli Market, situated between Gubio and Geidam, sending traders and residents into panic as explosions disrupted commercial activities.
A councillor in the area, Lawan Zannah, confirmed the development during a telephone conversation on Sunday, stating that the casualty figure had risen significantly.
“From the information available to us, it was an airstrike. Over 30 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 20 others sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals,” he said.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the strike took place around 4:00 p.m. while the market was fully active, with several fighter jets reportedly involved in the operation.
One of the witnesses claimed that the number of casualties could be higher than initially reported.
“I personally counted dozens of bodies, and recovery efforts are still ongoing,” the source said.
Findings suggest that the operation may have been targeted at suspected Boko Haram insurgents allegedly gathering in the area.
However, the strike reportedly hit the crowded marketplace instead, resulting in heavy civilian casualties.
The weekly market is known to attract traders from nearby communities, including Gubio, Chiweram, Benisheikh, Gurokayeya and Geidam, making it a major commercial hub in the region.
The Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (retd.), confirmed the incident but clarified that Jilli village is under Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
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