“56 Dead in Seconds: Civilian Massacre or Military Mistake in Borno Skies?”

By Passman Akpos

A devastating airstrike on a busy weekly market in Jilli, along the border between Borno and Yobe states, has left at least 56 people feared dead and dozens more injured, in what witnesses and local officials describe as a catastrophic misfire during a military operation targeting insurgents.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, struck Jilli Market—a major commercial hub drawing traders and buyers from surrounding communities including Gubio, Chiweram, Benisheikh, Gurokayeya, and Geidam—at the peak of trading activities.

Eyewitnesses said the attack unfolded around 2:46 p.m., when multiple fighter jets swooped in and released bombs on the crowded marketplace. Panic reportedly spread instantly as traders and civilians scrambled for safety amid repeated explosions.

“I counted 56 bodies myself,” one eyewitness recounted. “We were in the middle of business when the bombs started falling. People were running in all directions, but the strikes didn’t stop.”

Local sources said the airstrike was part of an operation aimed at suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to have infiltrated the market to collect levies and procure supplies. However, multiple accounts indicate that the intended targets may have been missed, resulting in heavy civilian casualties.

Malam Lawan Zanna, councillor of Fichimaram Ward in Geidam Local Government Area, confirmed the incident and the rising death toll. According to him, more than 20 injured victims were rushed to medical facilities in Geidam, with some referred to the state specialist hospital in Damaturu.

“As we speak, over 30 people have been killed, and the number keeps rising,” Zanna said. “Nine of those hospitalised have already died.”

The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd), also acknowledged the incident but clarified that Jilli village falls under Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International strongly condemned the strike, describing it as excessive use of force and calling for an urgent investigation.

In a statement, the organisation claimed that over 100 people may have been killed and reported that at least 35 severely injured victims were received at Geidam General Hospital.

The group urged Nigerian authorities to ensure accountability and review military engagement protocols to prevent further civilian casualties in conflict zones.

Efforts to get an official response from the Nigerian Air Force were unsuccessful, as calls to the Director of Public Relations and Information were not returned at the time of filing this report.

The tragic development comes just hours after reports of a successful military operation under Operation HADIN KAI in the same Jilli axis, where a террорист logistics hub linked to ISWAP was reportedly destroyed in a precision strike following weeks of intelligence gathering.

Military authorities had earlier described that operation as a major breakthrough, neutralising several insurgents and crippling their supply network. However, the latest incident raises serious concerns about targeting accuracy and the risks posed to civilian populations in active conflict zones.

Residents in the region remain gripped by fear and uncertainty, as calls grow louder for transparency, accountability, and stricter safeguards in ongoing counterinsurgency operations.