JUST IN: Over 30 feared dead as NAF airstrike hits Borno-Yobe border market

No fewer than 30 people are feared dead after a military airstrike struck a weekly market at Jilli village, located along the border between Borno State and Yobe State, on Saturday evening.

The incident, which occurred at the popular Jilli Market between Gubio and Geidam areas, reportedly threw traders and residents into panic as explosions rocked the busy trading centre.

A councillor in the area, Lawan Zannah, confirmed the casualty figures on Sunday.

He said, “From the information available to us, it was an airstrike. Over 30 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 20 were hospitalised.”

Eyewitnesses said the attack occurred around 4:00 p.m. while commercial activities were ongoing, with several fighter jets reportedly involved.

One witness said, “I counted 56 corpses myself, more bodies are still being recovered.”

Sources indicated that the strike may have been targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to have gathered in the area, but the bombs reportedly hit the crowded market instead.

The weekly market is known to attract traders from surrounding communities including Gubio, Chiweram, Benisheikh, Gurokayeya and Geidam.

Abdulsalam Dahiru, special adviser to Yobe State governor on security matters, confirmed the incident but clarified that Jilli village falls within Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.

As of press time, the Nigerian Air Force had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.