There is tears following the casualty figures from the military’s airstrikes on a village market in Yobe State suspected to be harbouring some terrorists which have risen to 60.
A military jet, yesterday, bombed a market at Jilli village, Geidam Local Government, Yobe State.
Some survivors who are residents of Geidam, headquarters of the LG, told The Sun that the military might have traced some terrorists to the market before dropping bombs.
“The military jet might have followed some terrorists from the bush to the market and mistaken all of us at the market then as terrorists,” said Saleh Idrissa, who sustained injuries.
Sources in the area said more bodies were recovered at the scene hours after the airstrikes, pushing the death toll from the initial 50 reported by the authorities to over 60.
Dozens of injured victims evacuated from the scene were brought to the Yobe Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, Yobe State capital, and Geidam in about 10 buses on Saturday.
The Yobe State government is yet to officially react to the tragic incident.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched an investigation into the alleged civilian casualties.
In a statement yesterday, NAF’s director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the incident was reported to have occurred on Saturday.
Ejodame said reports suggested the strike might have hit a local market in Jilli, raising concerns about civilian casualties. He said the Chief of the Air Staff had ordered the immediate activation of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation cell.
According to him, the cell has been deployed to the location on a fact-finding mission into the allegations.
“The Nigerian Air Force treats all reports of possible civilian harm with utmost seriousness and empathy.
“The protection of innocent lives remains central to all NAF operations,” he said.
Ejodame stressed that the service remained committed to professionalism, accountability and transparency in its missions. He added that the force would work with authorities and community representatives to establish the facts.
While the investigation continues, he urged the public and media to avoid speculation and allow due process: “The Nigerian Air Force reassures citizens of its resolve to protect national security and civilian lives.
“Every credible concern will be addressed with diligence and seriousness.”
Ejodame also explained that the strikes targeted fleeing terrorists and “regrouping elements” following an earlier engagement that decimated their positions in the area.
“The follow-up strikes were executed based on credible intelligence and in close coordination with ground forces to deny terrorists freedom of movement and prevent further attacks.
“The operation formed part of a broader air-ground integration effort aimed at consolidating earlier gains recorded by friendly forces,” the spokesman disclosed. Maintaining that the strikes “effectively disrupted terrorist activities within the Jilli axis.The area is a known enclave exploited by insurgents due to its difficult terrain.”
“The NAF will continue to sustain momentum in ongoing operations to protect innocent lives, secure communities and restore lasting peace in the region,” he added.
Jilli is located along the Yobe State border with Borno State.