Around 200 people are feared dead after a Nigerian military airstrike reportedly hit a market area in Yobe State, according to local officials and residents.
The incident occurred during an air operation believed to be targeting insurgent positions in the state. However, witnesses say the strike hit a busy market, leading to mass civilian casualties. Residents described scenes of widespread destruction, with bodies recovered from the rubble and many others severely injured.
A local councillor and multiple community sources estimate that the death toll could exceed 200, although the figure has not been independently verified by authorities. Emergency responders and locals have continued recovery efforts, with fears that more bodies may still be trapped beneath debris.
The Nigerian military has yet to release a full official statement detailing the strike, including its intended target or the circumstances that led to the high number of civilian casualties. Air operations remain a key part of the military’s campaign against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East.
This is not the first time concerns have been raised about civilian harm linked to aerial bombardments in conflict zones. Rights groups and observers have repeatedly called for stricter targeting protocols and accountability mechanisms to prevent such incidents.
The development is likely to intensify scrutiny of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy, particularly around intelligence accuracy and civilian protection in densely populated areas.
