The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has launched an investigation into reports of civilian casualties during a military air strike on Jilli market along the Borno–Yobe border.

The incident occurred on Saturday at the local market between Gubio LGA in Borno and GeidamLGA in Yobe during an operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Ehimen Ejodame, NAF’s director of public relations and information, the air force said it is treating the reports with “utmost seriousness and empathy”.

The tragic incident occurred around4 PM at Jilli Market while traders were going about their normal activities.

According to Councillor Lawan Zannah,30 people were killed and 20 others injured, with victims taken to Geidam General Hospital.

A hospital official said the emergency unit became overwhelmed after receiving about 34 injured people.

Local sources claimed Boko Haram members had gathered at the market to collect levies when the strike happened, but it missed its targets and instead caused civilian deaths.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said the airstrike was part of a joint mission with the Army to target fleeing insurgents.

According to spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame, the operation was planned carefully and carried out professionally.

He also said a special investigation team (CHAI-Cell) has been sent to find out what really happened.

The incident has caused mixed reactions. Atiku Abubakar called the strike a “devastating failure.”

But Sunday Dare disagreed, saying the attack was based on intelligence and aimed at insurgents who had taken over the Jilli market.

Babagana Zulum supported this, saying the market had been closed for years because of terrorist activity.

However, Amnesty International condemned the strike and called for an independent investigation.

Overall, the situation raises concerns about balancing security operations with the safety of civilians.

Amid rising security concerns,Bola Ahmed Tinubu held an emergency meeting in Abuja with top security and intelligence officials, including Police Chief Tunji Disu and Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The discussion focused on the Jilli airstrike and ongoing security issues.

This followed a warning from the United States Department of State, which advised some embassy staff to leave Nigeria and labeled many states as “Do Not Travel.”

The government, through Mohammed Idris, said the warning is only a precaution and does not mean the country is unsafe overall.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested a 15-year-old boy, Tijjani, in Ngamdu, Borno State on April 12, 2026.

He was found with ₦850,000, which is believed to be for supporting a terrorist group behind recent attacks in Benisheikh and Ngamdu. He also said he came from Jilli before and after the attacks.

At the same time, presidential hopeful Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim said many killings across Nigeria are not getting enough attention. He mentioned deadly attacks in states like Kebbi, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Niger, and Nasarawa, where many people were killed.

These events show that Nigeria is still facing serious security problems that need urgent attention.