At least 100 civilians are feared dead after a Nigerian military airstrike hit a crowded market in Jilli village, northeastern Nigeria, according to Amnesty International. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as bombs struck during peak trading hours, though the military insists the operation targeted Boko Haram insurgents.
The attack occurred on April 12 in Borno State, a region long plagued by Islamist insurgencies. Local sources report the market was destroyed, with rescue operations hampered by ongoing insecurity. A Red Cross official, speaking anonymously, confirmed receiving “dozens of severely burned victims” at nearby clinics.
This incident follows a pattern of disputed strikes in Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations. In 2021, the government paid compensation after a similar attack killed 20 fishermen mistaken for militants. Analysts note increasing civilian casualties as the military relies more heavily on air power against guerrilla fighters.
Human Rights Watch’s West Africa director stated: “When battlefield verification fails, civilians pay the price.” The Nigerian Defense Headquarters maintains all protocols were followed, suggesting militants may have deliberately operated near civilians.
The UN has called for an independent investigation, warning the incident could further erode trust in counterinsurgency efforts. With regional elections approaching, the strike risks inflaming ethnic tensions in the already volatile northeast.