\n\n
At least 30 people are feared dead after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike struck a busy weekly market in Jilli village, located along the border between Borno and Yobe states. The incident occurred on Saturday evening while traders and residents were actively conducting business, triggering panic as explosions ripped through the crowded marketplace. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the strike hit during peak trading hours, with multiple casualties recorded on the spot and many others injured. 
Local officials confirmed the scale of the tragedy, with a councillor, Lawan Zannah, stating that over 30 deaths had already been verified, while more than 20 injured victims were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Some witnesses, however, suggested the toll could be significantly higher, claiming dozens of bodies were seen at the scene as recovery efforts continued. The market, known to attract traders from surrounding communities such as Gubio, Geidam, and nearby villages, was reportedly filled with civilians at the time of the strike. 
Initial reports suggest the airstrike may have been part of a military operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to be operating in the area. However, the bombs allegedly hit the civilian-populated market instead, raising serious concerns about intelligence accuracy and civilian safety. Security authorities have acknowledged the incident, though the Nigerian Air Force had yet to issue an official statement as of the time of reporting, while investigations and emergency responses remain ongoing. 
The incident adds to a growing pattern of accidental or misdirected airstrikes in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden northeast, where military operations frequently target insurgent groups but sometimes result in civilian casualties. Recent reports from international observers indicate that similar strikes have previously led to significant loss of civilian lives, prompting repeated calls for improved intelligence gathering and independent investigations into such operations. 
