Over 50 people were killed in an airstrike on Jilli Market near the Borno-Yobe border on Saturday, according to reports. The market, located between Gubio and Geidam Local Government Areas, was targeted during a military operation believed to be aimed at Boko Haram insurgents. Daily Trust reported that at least 56 people, mostly traders, died, while 14 were hospitalized. However, medical sources at Geidam General Hospital confirmed receiving 35 severely injured victims, raising concerns the death toll could rise. Eyewitnesses said multiple military jets were involved in the attack.
Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, former Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, called for a transparent and independent investigation. In a statement on Monday, he expressed deep sadness over the incident, describing the loss of civilian life as catastrophic. While acknowledging the challenges faced by the military in conflict zones, Lawan stressed that innocent civilians deserve justice. He urged the Federal Government and military high command to allow unhindered access for investigators, ensure medical care for survivors, and compensate victims' families. Lawan also extended condolences to Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni and the people of Geidam.
Ahmad Lawan's demand for an independent probe into the Jilli airstrike carries weight not just because of his former position, but because it exposes a growing rift between public trust and military operations. That a former Senate President feels compelled to call for transparency—while still defending the military—reveals how routine civilian casualties have become in counterinsurgency campaigns.
The fact that 35 critically injured victims were admitted to one hospital, far exceeding the initial report of 14 hospitalized, suggests a pattern of underreporting and delayed disclosure. Lawan's reference to previous incidents like Tudun Biri and Zurmi shows this is not an isolated failure, but part of a recurring cycle where military operations blur the line between security and civilian safety. The government's silence in the immediate aftermath, contrasted with Lawan's swift response, underscores a leadership vacuum in accountability.
Ordinary residents of border communities like Geidam and Gubio bear the brunt of this ambiguity. Traders, farmers, and local families going about daily life are repeatedly placed in harm's way, with little recourse or recognition. Compensation and investigations are often delayed or never materialize.
This incident fits a broader trend: military operations in the Northeast increasingly occur with minimal civilian oversight, and each tragedy chips away at public confidence.
