Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised a recent Nigerian Air Force operation that reportedly led to the deaths of civilians at Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border, describing the incident as deeply troubling and unacceptable.
According to earlier reports, at least 30 people were feared dead after an airstrike hit the busy weekly market situated between Gubio and Geidam on Saturday evening, causing chaos among traders and residents.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that it carried out targeted strikes in the Jilli area on April 11, 2026, as part of its counter-insurgency campaign under Operation Hadin Kai against insurgent groups. However, it has yet to acknowledge any civilian casualties or confirm that the market was directly hit.
Reacting via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Atiku described the incident as a serious lapse in the country’s security operations. He lamented that civilians continue to suffer harm during missions intended to safeguard them, questioning how long Nigerians would remain vulnerable to both insurgents and military actions.
He drew a comparison with a recent United States military rescue mission, noting that significant resources were committed to saving a single individual, which, in his view, reflects the high value placed on human life elsewhere.
Atiku urged the government to urgently investigate the incident, ensure accountability, and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences. He also extended his sympathies to the victims’ families, stressing that protecting citizens should remain the core objective of national security.