Air strike on village market in northeastern Nigeria leaves dozens feared dead, over 100 casualties claimed

Dozens of people are feared dead after a military air strike struck a village market in northeastern Nigeria, with human rights groups alleging that the toll could be significantly higher. The incident took place in Jilli village in Yobe state, near the Borno border, an area affected by long-running insurgency linked to Boko Haram.

According to Amnesty International, more than 100 people were killed and at least 35 others injured in the strike, which reportedly occurred while the military was targeting suspected militants. Local officials suggested that the combined number of dead and injured could be close to 200, indicating the scale of devastation caused by the attack on civilians present at the weekly market.

The Nigerian Air Force stated that it had carried out an operation targeting Boko Haram fighters in the region but did not confirm any civilian casualties or the reported strike on the market. However, state authorities acknowledged that an air operation had taken place near a market area, where civilians were present at the time of the incident.

Emergency response teams have been deployed, and several injured individuals have been shifted to hospitals in nearby areas, including Geidam and Maiduguri. Medical sources indicated that dozens of injured persons are receiving treatment, while authorities continue to assess the full extent of casualties.

Amnesty International strongly condemned the strike, calling it an unlawful and reckless use of force, and urged Nigerian authorities to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation. The incident has intensified concerns over civilian safety in conflict zones, particularly in regions where military operations are conducted close to populated areas.