Wahala don burst for Northeast Nigeria as Nigerian Air Force jet mistakenly bomb crowded market wey dey border of Borno and Yobe states. The incident wey happen on Saturday afternoon for Jilli Market don leave over 100 people dead, including children, and many others injured. Eye witnesses say the market dey full of traders and buyers from surrounding communities when four fighter jets appear and begin to drop bombs.
Amnesty International Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, confirm say dem don see pictures of the casualties. “We have their pictures and they include children,” Sanusi tell The Associated Press. The organization say dem don speak with hospital officials and victims for the area. One worker for Geidam General Hospital in Yobe state say at least 23 injured people dey receive treatment, but the person no gree mention name because no get authority to talk to media.
This kind misfire no new for Nigeria military operations. Since 2017, over 500 civilians don die from similar mistakes according to AP count. Security analysts point to poor intelligence gathering and lack of coordination between ground troops and air assets as the main problem. The market wey dem bomb na large, remote place wey Boko Haram jihadis dey use to buy food supplies regularly.
But one member of civilian security group wey dey work with Nigerian military for Northeast, Abdulmumin Bulama, defend the action. Bulama say intelligence show say Boko Haram terrorists gather near the market and plan to attack nearby communities. “The intel was shared and the Air Force jet acted based on the credible information,” Bulama explain.
Yobe State Government confirm say military strike dey target Boko Haram stronghold for the area but admit say “some people who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected.” Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also acknowledge say incident happen with “casualties affecting some marketers” and say dem don send response teams to the area.
Nigerian military release statement say dem conduct successful strike on “terrorist enclave and logistics hub” for the area, killing scores of jihadis wey dey ride motorcycles. The statement no mention anything about misfire but note say motorcycles remain prohibited for conflict hot spots. “Any such movements in restricted areas are therefore treated with the utmost seriousness,” the military statement add.
Local councillor for Fichimaram Ward, Malam Lawan Zanna, give eyewitness account. “When the jets launched their attack, people panicked and began to run, but the strikes continued,” Zanna say. “As we speak, over 30 people have been killed.” Zanna add say more than 20 people hospitalize for Geidam, with two refer to Teaching Hospital in Damaturu. Nine of those wey dey receive treatment don die, bringing death toll to over 30 according to the councillor.
But other sources report higher numbers. Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, the councillor and traditional head of Fuchimeram ward in Yobe’s Geidam district, tell Reuters say over 200 people don die. “It’s a very devastating incident at Jilli Market. As I’m speaking to you, over 200 people have lost their lives from the air strike at the market,” Geidam say in telephone interview. Three other residents and international humanitarian agency official confirm the strike and likely death toll.
Ahmed Ali, 43-year-old resident wey sell medical consumables for the market, describe how e survive. “I became so scared and attempted to run away, but a friend dragged me and we all lay on the ground,” Ali say from hospital bed. The man get injuries from the blast.
Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirm say dem carry out air operation for Jilli axis of Borno State. Ejodame describe the mission as part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist groups for Northeast. “The follow-up strikes were executed based on credible intelligence and in close coordination with ground forces to deny terrorists freedom of movement and prevent further attacks,” the spokesperson explain.
Ejodame add say the operation form part of broader air-ground integration effort aimed at consolidating earlier gains recorded by military forces. The spokesperson note say the strikes successfully disrupt insurgent activities within Jilli axis, area wey dem long consider as strategic enclave for terrorists because of challenging terrain.
But former Vice President Atiku Abubakar strongly condemn the airstrike. Atiku describe the incident as “devastating failure” wey should outrage all Nigerians. “The Jilli market airstrike that killed scores of innocent traders is not just tragic, but a devastating failure that must outrage every conscience,” Atiku say via X handle. “While targeting insurgents, innocent Nigerians were once again reduced to collateral damage.”
The former VP compare Nigeria situation with United States operation wey dem spend over $300 million to rescue just one pilot in Iran. “Here at home, we must ask: what is the value of Nigerian lives?” Atiku ask. The politician call for urgent review, accountability, and decisive action to prevent recurrence.
Amnesty International don call for independent investigation into the incident. The organization accuse military of being “fond of” labeling civilian casualties as bandits. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, dey battle complex security crisis especially for north where decade-long insurgency by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) don kill thousands and displace millions.
The strike happen for village in Yobe on border with Borno, the heartland of long-running insurgency. Jilli Market usually attract residents from Gubio, Chiweram, and Benisheikh in Borno State, as well as Gurokayeya and Geidam in Yobe State, making am major commercial hub for the area. Sources familiar with incident say fighter jet wey involve in operation don dey track group of suspected insurgents wey believe visit market to collect levies and obtain supplies before strike occur.
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