Over 50 Feared Dead in Suspected Accidental Airstrike at Borno–Yobe Border Market
More than 50 people are feared dead after a suspected accidental military airstrike hit a crowded weekly market along the border of Borno State and Yobe State, according to local reports.
The incident reportedly occurred at a market in Jilli, located between Gubio and Geidam local government areas, where traders had gathered for routine commercial activities. Witnesses said the strike happened in the afternoon while the market was busy, triggering panic and widespread casualties.
Local sources indicate that at least 56 people, mostly traders, were killed, while several others sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals in nearby Geidam for treatment.
The airstrike is believed to have been carried out during a military operation targeting suspected insurgents, raising concerns that civilians may have been mistakenly hit. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions, allegedly from fighter jets operating in the area.
There has been no immediate official confirmation from the Nigerian military regarding the incident or the reported casualty figures.
Accidental bombings have occurred in Nigeria’s northeast in the past, including previous airstrikes that mistakenly hit civilian locations during operations against insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The latest incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of military operations in conflict zones, particularly regarding civilian protection and intelligence accuracy in Nigeria’s long-running insurgency.
