More than 200 people are feared dead after a suspected Nigerian military airstrike hit a crowded village market in Yobe State, in what appears to be a tragic misfire during an operation targeting insurgents.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday night in the Jilli axis, with local officials and residents describing widespread devastation among traders and civilians.
While the Nigerian Air Force said it carried out an operation against Boko Haram militants in nearby Borno State, it did not confirm striking a market.
However, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, a military adviser to the Yobe State Government, acknowledged that civilians attending the weekly market were affected.
A local councillor, Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, said the death toll could exceed 200, describing the incident as “devastating.”
The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency confirmed receiving reports of casualties and said response efforts had been activated.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the incident, calling it a “devastating failure” and urging authorities to prioritise civilian protection.
The tragedy adds to a string of past incidents involving civilian casualties during counterinsurgency operations. Previous airstrike errors in places like Rann (2017) and Kaduna (2023) have raised ongoing concerns over intelligence accuracy and operational coordination.
The latest development is likely to intensify scrutiny of Nigeria’s military operations, as calls grow for improved safeguards to prevent civilian loss while combating insurgency.
