Tragedy struck a busy weekly market along the Borno–Yobe boundary as an airstrike reportedly claimed the lives of no fewer than 56 persons, most of them traders, while several others sustained injuries.
The incident occurred at Jilli Market, a commercial hub situated between Gubio in Borno State and Geidam in Yobe State, where residents had gathered for routine trading activities.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the area was crowded at the time of the strike, with many traders and buyers caught off guard as the explosion tore through sections of the market.
Sources within the community said at least 14 injured victims were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment, with some said to be in critical condition.
Residents described the scene as chaotic, with bodies scattered across the market and survivors scrambling to rescue the wounded.
While details surrounding the operation remained unclear, locals expressed anger and confusion over the development, calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the strike.
Security authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
The affected communities have continued to mourn the victims, as fears grow over the safety of civilians in conflict-prone areas within the North-East region.