Photo: We were misled, but NAF killed 200 civilians — Daily Trust

Media Trust Group, the Publisher of Daily Trust, said it was misled in its use of a photograph on its front page on Monday (today), but insisted that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai killed 200 civilians in an operation in Borno State.

The newspaper said this in a statement, titled: “Apology Over Use of Wrong Picture,” that was released on its website on Monday.

The highly credible newspaper said its reporter misled it into the use of the photograph.

It said it deeply regretted the editorial lapse, promising that such would not repeat itself.

The statement said: “Media Trust Group wishes to offer an unreserved apology to our readers and to the public for the incorrect use of pictures on the cover page of Daily Trust publication on Monday, April 13, 2026. 

“Our checks revealed that the photographs were actually taken at the scenes of previous bombings in Borno State.

“We acknowledge that this misrepresentation falls short of the standards of accuracy and responsibility our readers expect from us. 

“We were misled by our reporter who sent the pictures and proper sanctions are being taken to serve as a deterrence.

“We deeply regret this editorial lapse. 

“We have taken immediate steps to review our photo verification process to ensure such errors do not recur.

“While we admit that the photographs were not taken at Jilli Market on the border of Yobe and Borno states, we stand by our story that the Nigerian Air Force airstrike on the market on Saturday killed over 200 civilians based on multiple accounts of residents and community leaders in the area.

“Media Trust remains committed to truthful, sensitive, and ethical journalism. 

“We thank our readers for holding us accountable.”