Over 30 people feared dead, with many others injured, following a suspected accidental airstrike around Jilli Market near Fuchimiram village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, while pursuing Islamist militants in the northeast of the country on Saturday night, a councillor for the area and residents. The incident, which occurred on Saturday has sparked concern among residents and authorities.
Jilli, a border community close to Damasak in Borno State, lies over 200 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital. Witnesses said the strike happened during peak market activity, when traders and residents had gathered for business.
What Happened
According to local accounts, the airstrike took place while a military fighter jet was reportedly tracking suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to be operating within the area. The market, however, was active at the time, leading to fears that civilians were caught in the attack.
Residents said many victims were rushed to nearby medical facilities, including Geidam Specialist Hospital, where emergency units became overwhelmed due to the influx of injured persons.
Military sources indicated that the operation was part of intensified efforts to track and neutralise terrorist movements in the region. Surveillance reportedly detected motorcycles and vehicles suspected to be linked to insurgents converging near Jilli, prompting the strike.
Despite this, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the casualty figures, with some local sources claiming dozens of civilian deaths, while others suggest the number could be significantly higher.
What The Military Is Saying
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has launched an investigation into reports of civilian casualties, stressing that it takes such allegations seriously.
“In line with this commitment, the CAS has directed an immediate activation of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to immediately proceed to the location on a fact-finding mission on the allegation,” the statement read.
NAF also maintained that its operations are guided by professionalism and accountability.
“Coming amid intensified efforts to track and neutralise terrorist elements responsible for recent attacks on security forces within the wider theatre, the follow-on strikes were aimed at fleeing remnants and regrouping cells seeking to exploit the difficult terrain,” NAF said.
The military further defended the strike, describing the targeted location as a known terrorist logistics hub linked to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province.
“The Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, in a carefully, well-coordinated, planned, and intelligence-driven operation, has successfully conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
“The successful strike, executed on 11 April, 2026, followed sustained intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over the Bindul–Jilli axis, an area long identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators”, he said.
“It is imperative to state that, in line with established operational procedures, a rigorous and professional targeting process was undertaken”, he added.
The military insisted that the operation disrupted planned attacks and significantly weakened terrorist logistics networks, while also reiterating restrictions on motorcycle movements in the region due to their frequent use by insurgents.
Reactions
Amnesty International condemned the airstrike in a statement. It cited witness accounts indicating that three military jets fired on the market yesterday. It added that the emergency unit of Geidam General Hospital had received at least 35 people with severe injuries.
Amnesty International described the use of air raids in such circumstances as unlawful, stating that deploying deadly force in that manner reflects disregard for civilian lives.
It called on Nigerian authorities to conduct an immediate, impartial investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) condemned the incident, describing it as tragic and troubling, stating that it reflects a recurring pattern of civilian harm during counterterrorism operations. It extended condolences to victims and their families and called for an urgent, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike.
Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, said in a statement yesterday that evidence from similar incidents indicates structural gaps, including weak intelligence verification, limited precision-targeting capacity and operational pressure for rapid results.
According to him, airstrikes in conflict zones often rely on single-source or outdated intelligence, particularly where insurgents blend with civilian populations, increasing the risk of fatal errors.
“We demand the establishment of a credible, civilian-led investigative panel comprising the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), civil society actors and international observers where necessary, to ensure accountability and public disclosure of findings,” he said.
CISLAC also called for adequate compensation and support for victims and their families.
What The Government Is Saying
Authorities in Yobe State acknowledged the incident and confirmed that civilians were among those affected.
“The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency wishes to inform the general public that it has received preliminary reports of an incident on Saturday evening at Jilli Saturday Market in Gubio Local Government Area bordering Geidam, which reportedly resulted in casualties affecting some traders from Geidam LGA, Yobe State.
“In response, SEMA, as directed by Governor Mai Mala Buni, in collaboration with relevant security agencies and health authorities, has immediately activated emergency response mechanisms and deployed assessment teams to the affected area to ascertain the facts and provide necessary support to victims,” the statement added.
The government has since begun coordinating emergency response efforts, including medical support and assessment of the affected communities.
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