NAF Probes Alleged Civilian Casualties After Airstrikes At Jilli Market In Yobe

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has opened an investigation into reports that civilians may have been affected during recent airstrikes near Jilli Market, close to Fuchimiram village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

In a statement on Sunday, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the force “treats all reports of possible civilian harm with the utmost seriousness and empathy”.

“In line with this commitment, the CAS has directed an immediate activation of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to immediately proceed to the location on a fact-finding mission on the allegation,” the statement read.

The Air Force also stressed that it’s “firmly committed to professionalism, accountability, and transparency in the conduct of its missions”.

Earlier, NAF had confirmed that it carried out mop-up airstrikes around the Jilli axis as part of ongoing military operations, although it did not clarify whether civilians were among those affected.

“Coming amid intensified efforts to track and neutralise terrorist elements responsible for recent attacks on security forces within the wider theatre, the follow-on strikes were aimed at fleeing remnants and regrouping cells seeking to exploit the difficult terrain,” NAF said.

Meanwhile, several people were reportedly killed and many others injured following the suspected accidental strike at Jilli Market in Geidam LGA.

Jilli is a border community near Damasak in Borno State and lies more than 200 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

Residents and local sources confirmed that the incident happened while traders were going about their normal business at the busy market.

One eyewitness who visited Geidam Specialist Hospital said many of the victims were receiving urgent medical treatment.

The source added that the hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit had become overwhelmed as more injured victims continued to arrive for treatment.

Another local resident told Channels Television that a military fighter jet had reportedly been tracking suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the area.

The insurgents were said to have moved into the market to collect levies from residents shortly before the incident happened.

KanyiDaily had previously reported how NAF fighter jet targeting bandits killed six children in the Kurebe area of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.