War on terror: Dozens feared dead in Borno-Yobe airstrike
Full Description
*NAF probes civilian casualties By Kingsley Omonobi and Ndahi Marama Scores of persons suspected to be members of the Boko Haram group and their sympathisers were feared dead yesterday, following an airstrike on a weekly market along the Borno–Yobe border market reportedly shut by Borno State government five years ago. This came as terrorists weekend killed no fewer than 18 persons during an attack on Bunkasau village, under Zarummai ward in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zanfara State. Though it was alleged that those killed in the market, known as Jilli, included civilians, the Nigeria Air Force, which is the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, said it had taken note of the report and was investigating the issue. This is even as former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, described the airstrike as a devastating failure that must touch every conscience. The weekly market usually attracts traders and buyers from surrounding communities, including Gubio, Chiweram, and Benisheikh in Borno State, as well as Gurokayeya and Geidam in Yobe State. Sources said the fighter jet that carried out the operation was tracking a group of suspected insurgents believed to have visited the market to collect levies from traders and obtain supplies. However, the strike reportedly missed its intended target. An eyewitness said: “The incident happened about 2:46 p.m., while business activities were ongoing. Four fighter jets carried out the attack, though the fourth jet was not clearly visible. We only heard the sound of explosions. “I counted 56 corpses myself and helped rescue two injured people, taking them to the hospital. I believe the number of casualties may be higher, as more bodies are still being recovered,” the source said. He added that 14 others are receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Geidam, Yobe State. Contacted, the councillor of Fichimaram Ward, Malam Lawan Zanna, said: “The incident occurred at Jilli village’s weekly market under Fichimaram Ward in Geidam LGA. From the information available to us, it was an airstrike. “When the jets launched their attack, people panicked and began to run, but the strikes continued. As we speak, over 30 people have been killed. “More than 20 people were hospitalised in Geidam, two were referred to the Teaching Hospital in Damaturu. Out of those receiving treatment, nine have died, bringing the death toll to over 30,” he said. However, both Borno and Yobe State governments, which confirmed the bombing, said those killed were terrorists and not civilians. Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Illiya, described the market as a notorious hub allegedly used by insurgents and their suppliers. ‘’I have been properly briefed on the airstrike carried out by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai on the Jilli market, a border town between Borno and Yobe states. Let me state categorically that the Borno State government closed the Jilli and Gazabure markets f...