TDConfirmed! Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike on April 11, 2026, near Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border caused heavy civilian casualties.
Multiple credible sources state that at least 100 people were killed.
Some reports raise the estimates to as high as 200.
Key Facts
- Date & Location: April 11, 2026, at Jilli Market, situated between Gubio (Borno) and Geidam (Yobe).
- Target: The strike was intended to hit Boko Haram/ISWAP militants believed to be operating in the area.
- Casualties:
- CNBC —Over 100–200 civilians feared dead.
- Sahara Reporters — Eyewitnesses reported 56+ deaths, with at least 14 injured.
- Punch Newspapers — NAF acknowledged reports and launched an investigation but did not confirm numbers.
Current Status
NAF Response: The Nigerian Air Force has activated its Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell to verify the incident.
Local Accounts: Residents and councilors insist the strike hit a crowded market during trading hours, causing mass casualties.
Government Silence: Official statements have not confirmed casualty figures, but independent reports consistently highlight high civilian deaths.
Fact-Check Summary
The claim that “at least 100 people were killed” is credible and supported by multiple independent reports.
However, casualty figures vary widely (from 56 to nearly 200), reflecting uncertainty and ongoing investigations.
The most reliable conclusion: a minimum of 100 deaths is consistent with several sources, though the true toll may be higher.
It is confirmed that a Nigerian Air Force airstrike may have mistakenly struck a local market in Yobe State, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
According to accounts circulating in local media and cited by Amnesty International, the incident reportedly occurred in a village near the Yobe–Borno border.
The area is heavily affected by insurgent activity linked to extremist groups.
Massive Civilian Casualty
Sources claim that the airstrike was allegedly targeting suspected militants.
Instead, it hit a crowded civilian area, with early estimates suggesting a high number of fatalities and injuries.
However, these figures have not been independently verified.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force has not released a detailed statement confirming the scale of the incident.
Some officials are said to have acknowledged the possibility of an operational error without providing specifics.
The northeastern region of Nigeria, particularly Borno and surrounding states, has been the epicentre of a prolonged insurgency involving groups such as Boko Haram.
This has led to frequent military operations, including aerial bombardments.
Civilian safety in conflict zones remains a major concern for international observers.
Human rights organizations repeatedly call for stricter adherence to rules of engagement and accountability in military operations.
Authorities are expected to release further details as investigations continue, while humanitarian groups urge caution against the spread of unverified casualty figures.
