Over 100 traders and buyers are feared dead following an airstrike at Jilli Market, a border community between Borno State and Yobe State.
Local sources said the incident occurred on Saturday evening at the market located in Jilli Ward, near the boundary with Geidam Local Government Area.
A councillor representing Fucchimiram Ward in Geidam, Lawan Zanna Nur, said he was at the emergency medical ward in Geidam assisting with the evacuation of injured victims.
“I am currently at the Geidam emergency medical ward bringing in victims with different degrees of injuries. We just lost two victims even this very minute,” he said.
He added that the casualty figure could rise as evacuation and rescue operations continue.
“The figures are not certain as we are still evacuating people. But as I am speaking, over 100 people have lost their lives from the airstrike at the market,” he said.
Sources said some victims were still being recovered from surrounding bushes, while others had been evacuated to medical facilities in parts of Borno.
Additional casualties were also reported to be receiving treatment in Damaturu.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to issue an official statement confirming the incident or providing details surrounding the airstrike.
