At least dozens of civilians, mostly traders, are feared dead following a military airstrike that struck a busy weekly market along the Borno–Yobe border on Saturday, 11th April, 2026 in what appears to be a tragic case of mistaken targeting.
The incident occurred at Jilli Market, a commercial hub located between Gubio in Borno State and Geidam in Yobe State, where hundreds of residents and traders had gathered for routine business activities.
According to local sources, the airstrike, reportedly carried out by the Nigerian military in pursuit of suspected Boko Haram insurgents, missed its intended targets and instead hit the crowded marketplace, resulting in heavy civilian casualties.
Eyewitnesses said chaos erupted as fighter jets hovered over the area and began firing, prompting traders and residents to flee for safety. However, several people were caught in the bombardment.
A local councillor, Malam Lawan Zanna, confirmed the incident, noting that many victims were unable to escape as the strikes continued despite visible civilian presence.
“People ran in different directions when the jets appeared, but the firing did not stop. Many were hit while trying to flee,” he said.
Several injured victims were rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Geidam and other nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment. Medical sources indicated that some of the wounded later succumbed to their injuries, raising concerns that the death toll may climb further.
The Security Adviser to the Yobe State Governor, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd), also acknowledged the incident but clarified that the affected market lies within Borno State territory.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force has yet to issue an official statement detailing the circumstances surrounding the airstrike or confirming casualty figures.
The incident adds to growing concerns over civilian safety in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, where military offensives against insurgent groups have occasionally resulted in unintended civilian harm.
Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the strike as families mourn and survivors grapple with the devastating aftermath.
