Nigerian Air Force Kills Over 100 Civilians in Airstrike on Jilli Market
Key Takeaways
- Air Force jets struck Jilli Market in Yobe, killing civilians.
- At least 100 civilians killed, with some reports citing as many as 200.
- Officials and rights groups say it was a misfire rather than a targeted strike.
Market Strike Kills Hundreds
Nigerian military jets struck a crowded weekly market in the northeast, killing scores of civilians.
Casualty estimates varied widely: Amnesty International confirmed at least 100 dead, local officials said the toll could exceed 200.
The Nigerian Air Force acknowledged operations in the Jilli axis but made no reference to striking a civilian market.
Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam said some people who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected.
The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency confirmed it had received reports of an incident and activated an emergency response.
Survivor Ahmed Ali described the chaos and panic at the market.
Military Claims Success
The Nigerian military said it had successfully conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave.
The Air Force did not directly address reports of civilian casualties.
Intelligence indicated Boko Haram fighters had gathered close to the market.
The strike occurred in a volatile zone where insurgent activity has persisted for over a decade.
The broader insurgency has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than two million people since 2009.
The security situation had already been described as severely deteriorating.
Recurring Pattern of Misfires
The Jilli Market strike is part of a recurring pattern of military errors.
Since 2017, Nigerian military air raids have killed at least 500 civilians.
Previous incidents include the 2017 Rann bombing and a 2023 drone strike on a religious gathering.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for independent investigations.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the incident as a devastating failure.
Humanitarian Fallout
The strike left hospitals overwhelmed and emergency teams scrambling to respond.
At least 23 injured were receiving treatment at Geidam General Hospital.
Humanitarian agencies warned of rising trauma and displacement.
The incident sparked global concern and calls for a probe.
Amnesty International condemned the strike and called for an immediate investigation.
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