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By Oscar Okhifo
Several persons were feared killed on Saturday and many others injured following a suspected accidental airstrike at Jilli Market near Fuchimiram village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, where traders were said to be carrying out normal business activities at the time of the incident.
The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed conducting air operations in the Jilli axis, though it has not clarified whether civilians were among those affected.
The incident was said to have occurred while traders were conducting normal commercial activities at the busy Jilli Market, with eyewitnesses suggesting that a military fighter jet had been tracking suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to be operating in the area.
Jilli, a border settlement along the Yobe–Borno State axis near Damasak, lies in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State and is situated over 200 kilometres from Damaturu, the state capital.
Following the strike, several injured victims were reportedly rushed to Geidam Specialist Hospital, where medical personnel were said to be overwhelmed as the Accident and Emergency unit struggled to cope with the influx of casualties.
Hospital sources were quoted as saying: “The situation is very tense. We are receiving more injured persons than we can immediately attend to, and many are in critical condition.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) confirmed that it carried out air operations in the Jilli axis, but did not confirm whether any civilian casualties were recorded.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said: “The Air Force conducted precision follow-up mop-up airstrikes on identified terrorist locations within the Jilli axis on April 11, 2026.”
He said the mission formed part of a coordinated air-ground operation under Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside the Nigerian Army to target fleeing insurgents and regrouping cells in the area.
However, uncertainty remains over the extent of civilian impact, as local accounts continue to suggest that market activities were ongoing at the time of the strikes.
In the aftermath of the incident, public concern has continued to grow over repeated airstrike-related civilian casualties in northern Nigeria.
Many Nigerians are now questioning the recurring pattern of such tragedies, where initial denials are often followed by confirmations and renewed pledges that “it will never happen again.”
Critics and residents alike are asking when these so-called “friendly fire” incidents will finally end, and why military operations continue to claim the lives of civilians already too terrorized and traumatized by years of insecurity.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the incident, describing it as “one too many.”
He said: “This is one tragedy too many and must not be allowed to continue. There must be a full and transparent investigation into what happened.”
Atiku also called for urgent government intervention, adding: “The Federal Government must immediately provide relief to the affected communities and ensure adequate compensation for victims and their families.”
Authorities are yet to issue a definitive casualty figure as rescue and medical response efforts continue in the affected area.