Panic and confusion gripped residents on Saturday evening after an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force reportedly struck a crowded market along the Borno–Yobe border, leaving as much as 200 people dead.
The strike hit Dilli Market in Yobe State, located near Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, a strategic trading point that attracts merchants and buyers from nearby communities, including Giedam, Benisheikh and parts of the Chibok axis.
Authorities confirmed the incident but said details were still emerging. The spokesperson of the Yobe State Police Command, Dungus Abdulkarim, noted that security agencies had begun an assessment of the situation.
“We are aware of the incident at Dilli Market and are currently gathering information. Casualty figures are yet to be confirmed as verification is ongoing,” he said, adding that the public would be updated once clearer details are established.
Local accounts suggest the airstrike occurred during an operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to be active in the area. Residents alleged that the insurgents often infiltrate the market to impose levies on traders and procure supplies.
A source in Damaturu said the aircraft was tracking suspected fighters at the time but appeared to have missed its intended target, resulting in civilian casualties.
Unverified reports from the scene indicated that no fewer than 200 people may have been killed, with several others injured.
A councillor in the area confirmed to Reuters news agency that the incident left about 200 people dead.
Emergency response efforts were ongoing, as wounded victims were evacuated to hospitals in Giedam and Damaturu for treatment.
As of press time, the Nigerian Air Force had not issued an official statement on the incident, leaving many questions unanswered about the circumstances surrounding the strike.