A Nigerian Air Force strike intended to hit suspected jihadist fighters has killed more than 100 civilians after striking a crowded market in northeastern Nigeria, according to reports from Amnesty International and local media cited by the Associated Press. The incident took place on Saturday in Yobe state near the border with Borno, an area that has endured years of insurgent violence.
Authorities acknowledged that the strike had gone wrong, describing it as a misfire during an operation targeting a suspected Boko Haram stronghold. The Yobe State Government confirmed that civilians at the Jilli weekly market were among those killed and injured, though it provided limited further details on the scale of the tragedy.
Witness accounts and early assessments suggest the human toll is severe. Amnesty International said it had verified from survivors and medical sources that at least 100 people were killed, with many more injured. The organization indicated that the number of casualties could rise as more information emerges from hospitals and local communities.
Security sources said the airstrike was based on intelligence that Boko Haram fighters had gathered near the market and were planning an attack on surrounding areas. A member of a civilian security group supporting military efforts stated that the operation was carried out on what was believed to be credible information, highlighting the challenges of distinguishing militants from civilians in densely populated areas.
The Nigerian military defended the mission, claiming it successfully struck a “terrorist enclave and logistics hub” and killed several militants traveling on motorcycles. However, it did not directly address reports of civilian casualties or clarify how the misfire occurred.
Emergency response teams have since been deployed, with the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency confirming casualties and coordinating rescue and medical efforts. Authorities have urged residents to remain calm as aid operations continue in the aftermath of the strike.
The incident underscores the ongoing dangers in northeastern Nigeria, where a complex security crisis has persisted for more than a decade. Armed groups including Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province, continue to operate in the region, often embedding themselves near civilian populations.
