No fewer than 56 people are feared dead following an airstrike on a weekly market at Jilli, located along the border between Borno and Yobe States.

Sunday Telegraph gathered that the incident, which occurred on Saturday, has also left at least 14 others injured, with victims receiving treatment at a specialist hospital in Geidam, Yobe State.

Sources privy to the development said the airstrike was carried out during a military operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to have infiltrated the market to collect levies and supplies.

However, the strike reportedly missed its intended targets and hit civilians engaged in trading activities.

An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic, stating that the attack occurred while business was ongoing.

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“The incident happened around 2:46 p.m. while business activities were ongoing. Four fighter jets carried out the attack… I counted 56 corpses myself and helped rescue two injured people,” the source said, adding that the casualty figure could rise as more bodies are recovered.

The councillor of Fichimaram Ward, Malam Lawan Zanna, also confirmed the incident, though he provided a lower casualty estimate.

“When the jets launched their attack, people panicked and began to run, but the strikes continued… more than 20 people were hospitalised in Geidam. Out of those receiving treatment, nine have died,” he said.

The Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (retd.), confirmed the incident but clarified that the affected community falls within Borno State.

“I have spoken with the chairman of Geidam Local Government, who informed me that Jilli village falls under Gubio LGA of Borno State,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.