Over 200 Feared Dead in Yobe Airstrike on Market

An airstrike by the Nigerian military on a market in Yobe State has resulted in over 200 feared deaths, as reported by local sources. The strike occurred on Saturday night during operations targeting Boko Haram militants in Borno State.

The Nigerian Air Force has not acknowledged the strike on the market, suggesting it was part of ongoing counterinsurgency efforts in the region. Local councillor Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam described the devastation and confirmed that the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) received preliminary reports of casualties among traders.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding civilian casualties in military operations, with estimates suggesting that around 400 civilians have been killed in misdirected airstrikes since 2017. The incident follows the federal government's recent release of a list of entities allegedly linked to terror financing, part of broader counterterrorism measures.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.