Yobe (9News Nigeria) More than 200 traders and civilians are feared dead following a devastating airstrike that struck Jilli Market in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, in Nigeria’s troubled northeast, 9News Nigeria reports.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, has triggered shock and confusion across communities near the Yobe–Borno border, with casualties still being counted as emergency responders race against time to assist the wounded.
Jilli Market, located in Fucchimiram Ward and situated close to Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, is a busy commercial hub that attracts traders and buyers from surrounding communities including Geidam, Gubio, Chiweram, and Benisheikh.
Local sources and eyewitnesses said the strike hit at peak market activity, resulting in widespread fatalities and injuries. Although details remain unclear, residents suggested the airstrike may have been carried out by a Nigerian military jet targeting insurgents reportedly operating within the area. However, this claim has not been officially confirmed by authorities.
A local councillor representing Fucchimiram Ward, Lawan Zanna Nur, confirmed the scale of the devastation while coordinating rescue efforts.
“I am currently at the Geidam emergency medical ward bringing in victims with different degrees of injuries. We just lost two victims even this very minute,” he said.
He further indicated that the death toll could rise significantly as search and evacuation operations continue.
“The figures are not certain as we are still evacuating people. But as I am speaking, over 200 people have lost their lives from the airstrike at the market,” he added.
9News Nigeria gathered that several bodies remain scattered in nearby bushes, while others have been transported to medical facilities across Yobe and neighbouring Borno State. Injured victims are receiving treatment in Geidam and Damaturu, with health officials overwhelmed by the scale of the emergency.
In response to the crisis, local authorities have issued urgent calls for blood donations to support critically injured victims undergoing treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, leaving many questions unanswered about the circumstances surrounding the strike.
The tragedy has also revived concerns over past incidents involving accidental airstrikes in Nigeria’s conflict zones. In one such case two years ago, scores of worshippers were killed during a religious gathering in Kaduna State after a military air operation went wrong.
Saturday’s incident now stands as one of the deadliest reported airstrike tragedies in recent times in the northeast, raising fresh fears among civilians already grappling with years of insurgency and military operations in the region.
