A Nigerian military airstrike in Borno State has triggered fresh concerns after reports claimed that civilians were among those killed during an operation targeting suspected insurgents.
The strike, carried out under Operation Hadin Kai in the Jilli area near the Borno–Yobe border, was aimed at a logistics base used by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), according to military authorities.
In a statement, the military said the operation was “intelligence-driven,” targeting “a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub.”
Officials added that follow-up strikes were conducted on “fleeing remnants and regrouping cells” as part of efforts to weaken insurgent activity.
However, local sources and rights groups reported that dozens of civilians may have been killed, with some accounts suggesting the strike hit a busy market.
Estimates of casualties vary widely, with some reports placing the death toll above 40, while others claim it could be higher.
The Nigerian Air Force has acknowledged the reports and launched an investigation.
It said it is treating the allegations with “utmost seriousness and empathy” and has activated a fact-finding team to determine what happened.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum defended the military, saying the location was not an active civilian market.
“The Borno State Government closed Jilli and Gazabure markets five years ago,” he said, describing the area as a hub used by insurgents.
The incident has renewed concerns about civilian safety in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign, as authorities balance military operations with the protection of local communities.
