An ill-fated military operation in Borno State has claimed no fewer than 60 lives, most of them traders, following airstrikes on a crowded weekly market along the Borno–Yobe border on Saturday.
No fewer than 14 persons are reportedly receiving treatment in the hospital for various degrees of injuries, the Daily Trust reports.
Amnesty International however put the number of casualties at over 100, and the injured at about 35.
The tragedy, said to have occurred during a military operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents took place at Jilli Market, located between Gubio and Geidam Local Government Areas of Borno and Yobe states.
The weekly market usually attracts traders and buyers from surrounding communities, including Gubio, Chiweram, and Benisheikh in Borno State, as well as Gurokayeya and Geidam in Yobe State.
Dependable sources said the fighter jet involved in the tragic operation operation was tracking a group of suspected insurgents believed to have visited the market to collect levies from traders and obtain supplies. However, the strike reportedly missed its intended target.
According to an eyewitness, at least 56 people had been confirmed dead, while 14 others were receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Geidam, Yobe State.
He said, “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”.
Confirming the incident, the councillor of Fichimaram Ward, Malam Lawan Zanna, said 20 people had been admitted to the Specialist Hospital in Geidam.
Zanna said, “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”.
The Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd), also confirmed the incident, but said it occurred within Borno State.
Dahiru said, “I have spoken with the chairman of Geidam Local Government, who informed me that Jilli village falls under Gubio LGA of Borno State. You may contact officials in Maiduguri for further details”.
No official statement has been released on the incident by the Nigerian Air Force or military authorities.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International, in its statement, condemned and raised concerns over the use of force.
The statement said, “Amnesty International strongly condemned the military air strike that killed over 100 people at Jalli Futchimiram Geidam local government area of Yobe state. Witnesses said three military jets fired on the market yesterday.
“The emergency section of Geidam General Hospital had so far received 35 people with severe injuries.”
The body also called for accountability and criticised the method of operation.