ABUJA-(MaraviPost)-The Nigerian military has declared an attack on a market in the remote village of Jilli a successful strike on a known terrorist enclave.
The airstrike, carried out by the Nigerian Air Force, was part of efforts to combat Boko Haram militants in the region.
Eyewitnesses describe a different scene, saying more than 100 people killed were traders and other members of the community, including women and children.
The strike occurred on April 11, 2026, at the Jilli market, located on the border of Borno and Yobe states, an area known to be a hotspot for Islamist militants.
The Nigerian Air Force has launched an investigation into the incident, with Defence Minister General Christopher Musa insisting that those killed were not innocent civilians but individuals actively supporting insurgents. “There was no innocent person there.
Anybody in that location knew what they were doing,” Musa said.
The airstrike has sparked outrage and scrutiny, with rights groups and residents demanding accountability.
Amnesty International condemned the strike, saying it was an unlawful use of deadly force and showed the Nigerian military’s disregard for civilian lives.
The Nigerian government has expressed regret for civilian casualties but maintains that the operation was intelligence-led and targeted terrorists.
The incident highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s military in its counterinsurgency operations, where civilian areas are often located near suspected militant strongholds.
