No fewer than 56 people, mostly traders, are feared dead, while several others sustained injuries following a suspected accidental airstrike at a busy weekly market located along the border between and .
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday at Jilli Market, a commercial hub situated between Gubio Local Government Area in Borno and Geidam Local Government Area in Yobe.
According to multiple sources, the airstrike was reportedly carried out during a military operation targeting suspected insurgents believed to have infiltrated the market to collect levies and procure supplies. However, the strike allegedly missed its intended targets, hitting civilians instead.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attack happened at about 2:46 p.m. while trading activities were ongoing. Residents reported hearing multiple explosions as fighter jets hovered overhead.
One witness disclosed that at least 56 bodies were counted at the scene, adding that the casualty figure could rise as more victims are recovered from the debris. Several injured persons were rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Geidam for urgent medical attention.
The councillor of Fichimaram Ward, Malam Lawan Zanna, confirmed the development, stating that over 20 victims were hospitalized, with some later succumbing to their injuries, pushing the death toll higher.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd), acknowledged the incident but clarified that the affected community falls within Borno State territory.
As of the time of filing this report, the has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
The attack has sparked renewed concerns over civilian safety in conflict zones, particularly in areas frequently targeted during counter-insurgency operations in northeastern Nigeria.
