By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
A military airstrike mistakenly bombed a crowded weekly market at Jilli Village, located along the border between Borno and Yobe States, on Saturday evening, leaving scores of civilians dead and dozens injured.
The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. during peak trading hours at the popular Jilli Market, which lies between the Gubio and Geidam areas. Several fighter jets were reportedly involved in the operation.
Although sources indicated that the strike may have been aimed at suspected Boko Haram insurgents gathered in the area, the bombs reportedly hit the crowded market instead, sending traders and residents into a panic.
A councillor in the area, Hon. Lawan Zannah, confirmed the casualty figures in a telephone interview with People’s Daily on Sunday.
“From the information available to us, it was an airstrike. Over 30 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 20 were hospitalised,” he said.
However, an eyewitness gave a higher count: “I counted 56 corpses myself; more bodies are still being recovered.”
The weekly market draws traders from surrounding communities, including Gubio, Chiweram, Benisheikh, Gurokayeya, and Geidam.
Sources from Geidam Specialist Hospital confirmed that many injured victims are receiving treatment at the Accident and Emergency unit. Among them, two critically hurt individuals have been referred to the University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu for advanced care.
The source added that the evacuation of victims from the scene is ongoing, with emergency responders working tirelessly.
However, members of civil society organizations lamented a shortage of manpower and inadequate space at the Specialist Hospital.
“Treatment of victims is taking place on the floor, under tree shades, and inside some vehicles,” one source said.
Some victims have also been taken to a healthcare facility in Gubio, Borno State, as the community shares a border with Gubio Local Government Area.
The Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd.), confirmed the incident on Sunday but noted that Jilli Village falls within Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, not Yobe.
Reacting to the incident, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has commenced investigation into alleged bombing of civilians in its recent air strike in Jilli in Yobe State.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, stated this in a statement issued on Sunday.
Ejodame said the air strike conducted on April 11, 2026, was reported to have possibly affected a local market in the area.
He said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) had directed the immediate deployment of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to the location to carry out a fact-finding mission.
He said that the NAF treat all reports of civilian harm with seriousness and empathy, saying that the protection of innocent lives remained a core priority in its operations.
“The Service remains firmly committed to professionalism, accountability, and transparency in the conduct of its missions,” he said.
According to him, NAF will collaborate with relevant authorities and community representatives to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
He also urged the public and the media to avoid speculation while the investigation is ongoing.
Ejodame reaffirmed NAF commitment to safeguarding national security while ensuring that all credible concerns were being thoroughly addressed.
