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In a tragic incident that has drawn widespread condemnation, an airstrike conducted by the Nigerian air force on Saturday has claimed the lives of up to 200 individuals, predominantly civilians, at the bustling Jilli market situated on the border of Borno and Yobe states. While the military asserts that the operation aimed to target members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap), survivors and local officials are questioning the justification for such an attack in a densely populated area.
Civilian Casualties and Official Denials
The Nigerian military characterised the airstrike as a “precision operation,” claiming it was executed based on reliable intelligence regarding a terrorist logistics hub. Military spokesperson Sani Uba stated, “Post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave.” However, this assertion has been met with skepticism. Local residents, including Mala Garba, a 42-year-old trader recovering from injuries, expressed disbelief at the military’s claims. “I don’t know if there were jihadists at the market. We are just ordinary people,” he remarked.
Local authorities have also begun to acknowledge the extent of civilian impact. Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, a local councillor, reported that over 200 lives were lost in the airstrike, underscoring the devastating toll this incident has taken on the community. Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, an adviser to the Yobe state government, confirmed that civilians had indeed been affected, contradicting earlier military assertions.
The Context of Ongoing Conflict
Nigeria has been embroiled in conflict for over 17 years, grappling with the insurgency led by Boko Haram and its offshoot, Iswap. The north-east region, where the airstrike occurred, has become a battleground, with a complex web of violence exacerbated by armed banditry in the north-west and regular clashes between herders and farmers in the central region.
Malik Samuel, a researcher with Good Governance Africa, highlighted the area’s known association with Iswap, suggesting that while militants may have been present, targeting a crowded market raises serious concerns about the operational decisions made by the military. “Would it not be better to trace people leaving the market and going to known areas occupied by this group?” he questioned, advocating for strategies that prioritise civilian safety.
Historical Patterns and Accountability Issues
This incident is not isolated; reports indicate that Nigerian airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 500 civilians since 2017. Notably, a tragic bombing of a camp for displaced persons in Borno claimed 115 lives in 2017, while over 120 were killed in two separate airstrikes on a religious gathering in Kaduna state in December 2023.
The persistent pattern of civilian casualties in military operations has raised significant concerns regarding accountability. Isa Sanusi, the executive director of Amnesty International Nigeria, emphasised the lack of trust in military investigations. “Whenever they investigate themselves, the outcome is as usual: they exonerate themselves,” he stated, warning that continued impunity could severely undermine the fight against insurgency and damage public trust in institutions.
International Reactions and Broader Implications
The United States has previously expressed concerns over Nigeria’s ability to protect its citizens, particularly Christians, from jihadist violence, although the reality is that Muslim civilians also suffer at the hands of Islamist groups. In a recent incident, US airstrikes targeted the Lakurawa group in north-west Nigeria, highlighting the international dimensions of the conflict.
The implications of the Jilli market airstrike extend beyond immediate grief and loss. It reignites discussions about the effectiveness of military strategies in counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in a context where the distinction between combatants and non-combatants is increasingly blurred.
Why it Matters
The tragic airstrike on Jilli market serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of Nigeria’s ongoing conflicts. As civilians bear the brunt of military operations, the urgent call for accountability and transparency in the military’s actions becomes paramount. Without meaningful reforms and a commitment to protecting civilian lives, Nigeria risks perpetuating a cycle of violence that not only undermines public trust but also hinders the broader goal of achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
