At least fifty-six people have reportedly been killed in an ‘accidental airstrike’ carried out by the Nigerian Air Force on a weekly market in Nigeria’s North East state of Borno and Yobe.
Fourteen other persons have also been hospitalised after the tragic incident which occurred at Jilli Market on Saturday.
The market is along the border of Borno and Yobe states. It is sandwiched between the Gubio local government area in Borno and the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe
The market was reportedly mistakenly bombed during an aerial bombardment targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
Traders from surrounding communities, including Gubio, Chiweram, and Benisheikh in Borno State, as well as Gurokayeya and Geidam in Yobe State, usually thronged to the weekly market to carry out transactions.
According to Daily Trust, the fighter jet that carried out the operation was tracking a group of suspected insurgents who were at the market to collect levies from traders and receive supplies but the strike missed its intended target.
An eyewitness said the airstrikes happened at peak trading hours, adding that four fighter jets carried out the bombing.
The source disclosed that at least 56 people have been confirmed dead, while 14 others are receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Geidam, Yobe State.
“The incident happened around 2:46 p.m. while business activities were ongoing. Four fighter jets carried out the attack, though the fourth jet was not clearly visible. We only heard the sound of explosions.
“I counted 56 corpses myself and helped rescue two injured people, taking them to the hospital. I believe the number of casualties may be higher, as more bodies are still being recovered,” the source said.
The councillor of Fichimaram Ward, Malam Lawan Zanna, confirmed the incident to newsmen, stating that about 20 people were currently receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Geidam.
“The incident occurred at Jilli village’s weekly market under Fichimaram Ward in Geidam LGA. From the information available to us, it was an airstrike.
“When the jets launched their attack, people panicked and began to run, but the strikes continued. As we speak, over 30 people have been killed.
“More than 20 people were hospitalised in Geidam. Two were referred to the Teaching Hospital in Damaturu. Out of those receiving treatment, nine have died, bringing the death toll to over 30,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Nigerian Air Force regarding the incident
