Nigeria’s former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has called for a full-scale investigation into the military airstrike that struck a marketplace in Jilli axis of Yobe State, amid growing concerns over civilian casualties.
Lawan, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District, expressed deep concern over the incident in Jilli Futchimiram, located in Geidam Local Government Area. The operation, carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was aimed at suspected Boko Haram insurgents and may have hit a busy local market.
Eyewitness accounts cited by the lawmaker, reveal that multiple fighter jets were involved in the operation, with over 100 people feared dead and several others injured. Medical sources at Geidam General Hospital treated at least 35 severely injured victims, raising fears of the death toll increasing.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of the armed forces in the fight against insurgency, Lawan stressed that the tragedy requires urgent scrutiny.
“The victims, largely innocent civilians, deserve a full, transparent, and independent inquiry. Their families deserve answers and justice,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government and military authorities to grant unrestricted investigator access, provide medical care for survivors, and compensate affected families. Lawan warned that the fight against terrorism must not come at the cost of civilian lives, noting that “we must never allow the war against terror to desensitise us to the sanctity of human life.”
His remarks follow reports that a military airstrike, targeting insurgents along the Borno–Yobe border, may have mistakenly hit a crowded market.
In response, the Nigerian Air Force said it has activated its Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to conduct a fact-finding mission into the incident. The agency reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that the operation is based on credible intelligence.
Similarly, the Nigerian Army stated that the targeted location is a known terrorist hub in the Jilli axis. The Army surveillance tracked suspected fighters belonging to Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP sect, and their supply networks to the region.
The Army successfully neutralised several insurgents and disrupted planned attacks, though investigations are ongoing to verify the broad claims of civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, the human rights group Amnesty International shared witnesses reports’, that at least three military jets dropped bombs on the market, resulting in many deaths.
Yobe State Government confirms the operation’s aim targeted a terrorist stronghold, highlighting the sensitivity and complex nature of military operations in insurgent-locations.
Teenage Suspect Arrested, Offers Insight into ISWAP Network
In a related development, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) arrested a 15-year-old suspect, linked to ISWAP in Ngamdu, Borno State. Military sources apprehended the teenager in his attempt to procure supplies for the insurgents camped along the Ngamdu–Benisheik.
During interrogation, the confessions identified him as a messenger sent with ₦850,000 to get supplies, he affirms fighters were mobilised from Jilli, proving the credibility of military intelligence.
This comes after Jilli airstrikes, providing fresh insights into the supply networks of ISWAP terrorist, unraveling quality leads for the ongoing investigations.
