A Nigerian Air Force airstrike intended to target a Boko Haram stronghold near the Yobe–Borno border mistakenly struck a civilian market in Jilli, causing heavy casualties and raising renewed concerns about civilian protection in conflict zones.
Officials said the operation was planned as a “precision strike” based on intelligence indicating militant activity in the area.
Authorities later acknowledged that the strike may have missed its intended target and instead hit Jilli market, a busy civilian trading hub. The incident has been described as a “misfire,” with confirmed civilian casualties.
No official casualty figure has been finalized, but early reports from local sources and human rights groups suggest that more than 100 people may have been killed, with many others injured.
Emergency teams from Yobe State authorities and the State Emergency Management Agency responded quickly, evacuating victims to hospitals in Geidam and Maiduguri.
The Nigerian Air Force has launched an investigation into the incident, emphasizing that the operation was based on actionable intelligence and reiterating its commitment to minimizing civilian harm.
The area lies within a volatile corridor affected by insurgent activity, where local markets are sometimes used as logistical points, complicating the distinction between civilians and militants.
Security analysts warn that air operations in densely populated or dual-use areas carry a heightened risk of civilian casualties.
Humanitarian organizations are expected to call for a transparent investigation and stronger civilian protection measures.
