An airstrike on a weekly market along the Borno–Yobe border is thought to have killed at least 56 people, most of whom were traders. Many others were hurt.
Reports say that the event happened on Saturday at Jilli Market, which is between the Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State and the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.
People who talked to Daily Trust said that the market, which draws traders from nearby towns, was full of buyers and sellers when the airstrike happened.
The weekly market is usually open for people from Gubio, Chiweram, and Benisheikh in Borno State, as well as Gurokayeya and Geidam in Yobe State.
Local sources said that the operation was thought to be part of a military offensive against suspected Boko Haram insurgents who were said to be going to the market to collect taxes and get supplies.
But reports say that the airstrike missed its target.
An eyewitness said that the strike happened in the afternoon while people were working.
“The event took place at about 2:46 p.m., while business was still going on. Four fighter jets attacked, but the fourth jet was hard to see. The witness said, “We only heard explosions.”
Study abroad consultation: “I counted 56 dead bodies and helped save two injured people by taking them to the hospital.” The source also said, “I think the number of deaths may be higher because more bodies are still being found.”
Malam Lawan Zanna, the councilor for Fichimaram Ward, confirmed the event and said that several injured people were taken to the Specialist Hospital in Geidam.
“The event happened at the weekly market in Jilli village in the Geidam LGA’s Fichimaram Ward. He said, “Based on what we know, it was an airstrike.”
“When the jets attacked, people freaked out and started to run, but the strikes kept going.” More than 30 people have died as we speak.
He went on to say that more than 20 people who were hurt were taken to the hospital, and some of the victims were sent to the Teaching Hospital in Damaturu.
“In Geidam, more than 20 people were sent to the hospital. The Teaching Hospital in Damaturu got two of them. “Nine of the people who were getting treatment have died, bringing the total number of deaths to more than 30,” he said.
What the Yobe Government Says
Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (retd.), the Yobe State Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, confirmed the attack but said it happened in Borno State.
“I talked to the chairman of Geidam Local Government, and he told me that Jilli village is part of Gubio LGA in Borno State.” He said, “You can get more information by calling officials in Maiduguri.”
At the time this report was written, the Nigerian Air Force had not yet made an official statement about the incident.
