Panic and devastation swept through Jilli village on Saturday evening after a military airstrike reportedly struck a crowded weekly market, leaving dozens feared dead.
The market, located along the border between Borno and Yobe states, was in full swing when multiple explosions disrupted trading activities, forcing residents and traders to flee for safety.
A local councillor, Lawan Zannah, confirmed that more than 30 people were killed in the incident, while over 20 others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities.
Witnesses said the strike occurred at about 4 p.m., at a time when the market was heavily populated. Some residents claimed several fighter jets were seen overhead before the explosions. One eyewitness alleged that dozens of bodies were already counted, with recovery efforts still ongoing.
It was gathered that the airstrike may have been intended for suspected Boko Haram members reportedly gathered in the vicinity, but the bombs instead hit the busy marketplace.
The weekly market usually attracts traders from surrounding communities, including Gubio, Chiweram, Benisheikh, Gurokayeya and Geidam.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (retd.), acknowledged the incident and clarified that Jilli village falls under Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
