A recent airstrike by the Nigerian military on a bustling market in the north-eastern region of the country has left many questioning the decision-making processes behind such operations. The attack, which occurred on Saturday at Jilli market, reportedly resulted in the deaths of up to 200 individuals, predominantly civilians. This incident highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria, where the military’s campaign against the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continues to bear a heavy toll on innocent lives.
Civilian Toll from Military Operations
Survivors of the airstrike have expressed deep concern over the military’s classification of the operation as a “precision airstrike”. The Nigerian military asserted that the strike targeted a known terrorist enclave, claiming it was conducted following extensive intelligence. However, local reports suggest a starkly different narrative. Mala Garba, a local trader who was injured in the attack, voiced his disbelief, stating, “I don’t know if there were jihadists at the market. We are just ordinary people.”
The airstrike, which took place on the border between Borno and Yobe states, is the latest in a series of military operations that have resulted in significant civilian casualties. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have raised alarms over the increasing frequency of such incidents, with estimates indicating that at least 500 civilians have perished in similar strikes since 2017. Local officials have acknowledged that civilians were indeed affected, with Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam admitting, “Some people who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected.”
The Military’s Justification and Local Response
In a statement released on the social media platform X, military spokesperson Sani Uba claimed that the operation was executed with “high accuracy,” stating that it had neutralised several terrorists. Despite these assertions, local councillor Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam confirmed the tragic loss of life, stating that over 200 people had died in the incident. This discrepancy between the military’s claims and local testimonies raises serious questions about the effectiveness and ethics of the military’s operational strategies.
Malik Samuel, a researcher with Good Governance Africa, pointed out the complexities of conducting airstrikes in densely populated areas. He suggested that while ISWAP may have a presence in the region, it is virtually impossible to distinguish between combatants and civilians in such a bustling market environment. “Would it not be better to trace people leaving the market and going to known areas occupied by this group instead of just hitting a market that you know clearly that there would be civilians in this place?” he asked.
Accountability and the Path Forward
The lack of accountability for civilian casualties in airstrikes remains a significant concern. Isa Sanusi, the executive director of Amnesty International Nigeria, emphasised the need for independent investigations into military operations, arguing that the military cannot be trusted to evaluate its own actions fairly. “Whenever they investigate themselves, the outcome is as usual: they exonerate themselves,” he remarked.
The implications of such military actions extend beyond immediate loss of life. They can significantly undermine public trust in government institutions and hinder efforts to combat ongoing insurgencies. Samuel cautioned that these airstrikes could ultimately weaken the fight against both terrorism and banditry, eroding the legitimacy of military operations in the eyes of the populace.
Why it Matters
The tragic events at Jilli market are emblematic of a broader crisis in Nigeria, where civilian safety is increasingly compromised in the name of counter-terrorism. As the military grapples with insurgency and violence, the need for a more nuanced approach to military operations has never been more pressing. The deaths of innocent civilians not only signify a humanitarian tragedy but also threaten to exacerbate the cycle of violence and mistrust that has plagued the region for years. Moving forward, it is crucial for the Nigerian government and military to reassess their strategies and prioritise the protection of civilian lives to restore faith in their fight against extremism.
