Islamic scholar Ahmad Gumi has urged authorities to launch a thorough investigation into a Nigerian Air Force airstrike that allegedly claimed the lives of over 50 civilians at a busy market in Jilli village, located near the border of Borno State and Yobe State.
In a statement shared on Facebook on Sunday, Gumi questioned both the authorization and execution of the operation, demanding clarity on those responsible for the strike that reportedly hit innocent residents.
He referenced earlier incidents such as the Tudun Biri bombing, along with other reported airstrikes in Nasarawa and Sokoto, describing them as part of a recurring pattern of military actions affecting civilians.
According to him, efforts to combat terrorism should not come at the expense of civilian safety, warning that such incidents could erode public confidence in security operations.
Gumi further called on the Nigerian Senate to urgently convene hearings to examine what he described as repeated “errors” involving airstrikes on civilian-populated areas, including villages and markets. He stressed that the public deserves accountability rather than expressions of sympathy.
Reports indicate that the airstrike took place on Saturday evening at the height of trading activities in Jilli market, with eyewitnesses claiming that multiple fighter jets participated in the operation.
While the Special Adviser on Security to the Yobe State Governor, Abdulsalam Dahiru, confirmed that the incident occurred, he did not release further details. Initial reports suggest that the strike was intended to target terrorist elements operating in the region.