Suspected Airstrike Devastates Market at Yobe-Borno Border, Mass Casualties Feared

A suspected military airstrike on a bustling market at the Yobe-Borno border has left dozens dead, sparking widespread panic in the region.

The tragedy unfolded Saturday at a weekly market in Jilli village a commercial hub between Gubio and Geidam where local traders had gathered for business.

According to witnesses, fighter jets were spotted overhead shortly before explosions tore through the crowd.

Local councillor Lawan Zannah reported over 30 confirmed fatalities, though residents fear the death toll will rise as recovery efforts continue.

While security sources suggest the mission was intended to target Boko Haram insurgents known to operate in the area, the strike appears to have tragically missed its mark, hitting the civilian-filled market instead.

Yobe State Police spokesperson Dungus Abdulkarim confirmed the incident but noted that authorities are still investigating the cause and the extent of the casualties.

“Officers have been deployed to assess the situation, but we cannot confirm details yet,” Abdulkarim said.

In the aftermath, emergency teams evacuated victims to hospitals in Geidam and Damaturu, while security forces cordoned off the market to begin their inquiry.

As of press time, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has not released an official statement regarding the strike.

The tragedy intensifies ongoing concerns over civilian “collateral damage” during military operations in the North-East.

Persecondnews reports that the region remains the centre of a grueling conflict involving Boko Haram and ISWAP, which has fueled more than a decade of violence, mass displacement, and a persistent humanitarian crisis.