₦airaland Forum

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the reported airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on a market along the Borno–Yobe border, describing the incident as a “devastating failure” that demands urgent accountability.

No fewer than 56 people, mostly traders, are feared dead, while 14 others have reportedly been hospitalised following the strike at Jilli market.

Reacting in a statement posted on X on Sunday, Atiku expressed outrage over the loss of civilian lives, warning that such incidents continue to undermine public confidence in security operations.

“The Jilli market airstrike that killed scores of innocent traders is not just tragic, but a devastating failure that must outrage every conscience,” he said.

He criticised the recurring pattern of civilians being affected during counter-insurgency operations, noting that those meant to be protected are often caught in the crossfire.

“While targeting insurgents, innocent Nigerians were once again reduced to collateral damage. How long will citizens remain unsafe both from terrorists and from the very operations meant to protect them?” he asked.

Atiku drew a comparison with international military standards, citing a recent United States operation to emphasise the value placed on human life.

“Just a few days ago, the United States deployed over 150 aircraft and spent an estimated $300 million to rescue just one pilot in Iran, even destroying equipment worth over $100 million each to protect a single life,” he said.

“That is the value they place on one citizen. Here at home, we must ask: what is the value of Nigerian lives?”

He called for a comprehensive review of military operations and stronger safeguards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“This demands urgent review, accountability, and decisive action to prevent a recurrence,” he added.

The former vice-president also extended condolences to families of the victims and affected communities.


“My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families and affected communities. Nigeria must uphold its duty to protect its citizen. That is the ultimate essence of National Security,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that it carried out air operations in the area but did not state whether civilians were affected.

In a statement signed by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said it conducted “precision follow-up mop-up airstrikes on identified terrorist locations within the Jilli axis of Borno State on April 11, 2026.”

According to the statement, the strikes were part of a coordinated air and ground offensive with the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI.

Bobloco:
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the reported airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on a market along the Borno–Yobe border, describing the incident as a “devastating failure” that demands urgent accountability.

No fewer than 56 people, mostly traders, are feared dead, while 14 others have reportedly been hospitalised following the strike at Jilli market.


Reacting in a statement posted on X on Sunday, Atiku expressed outrage over the loss of civilian lives, warning that such incidents continue to undermine public confidence in security operations.



“The Jilli market airstrike that killed scores of innocent traders is not just tragic, but a devastating failure that must outrage every conscience,” he said.

He criticised the recurring pattern of civilians being affected during counter-insurgency operations, noting that those meant to be protected are often caught in the crossfire.

“While targeting insurgents, innocent Nigerians were once again reduced to collateral damage. How long will citizens remain unsafe both from terrorists and from the very operations meant to protect them?” he asked.

Atiku drew a comparison with international military standards, citing a recent United States operation to emphasise the value placed on human life.

“Just a few days ago, the United States deployed over 150 aircraft and spent an estimated $300 million to rescue just one pilot in Iran, even destroying equipment worth over $100 million each to protect a single life,” he said.


“That is the value they place on one citizen. Here at home, we must ask: what is the value of Nigerian lives?”

He called for a comprehensive review of military operations and stronger safeguards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“This demands urgent review, accountability, and decisive action to prevent a recurrence,” he added.

The former vice-president also extended condolences to families of the victims and affected communities.


“My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families and affected communities. Nigeria must uphold its duty to protect its citizen. That is the ultimate essence of National Security,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that it carried out air operations in the area but did not state whether civilians were affected.

In a statement signed by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF said it conducted “precision follow-up mop-up airstrikes on identified terrorist locations within the Jilli axis of Borno State on April 11, 2026.”


According to the statement, the strikes were part of a coordinated air and ground offensive with the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI.


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/jilli-airstrike-a-devastating-failure-atiku-condemns-bombing-of-traders/

inoki247:
Same tactics Everytime there's an Airstrike....



You people love this terrorism so much....



If we are to deal with this terrorism truely there's no way there won't be Collateral Damage...

Terrorist will always have human shield to be safe are we now going to keep living like this...

That's why some of the kidnapping by bandit if FG visit them with Airstrike plenty collateral damage go happen...

runningriot:
Politicking every necessary step that is inevitable for the security and economic betterment of our society to score cheap political goals is not only condemnable but dysfunctional. How can a place that has been warn by military to be a red flag and a mapped out plan for a no go area for civilians be seeing as a market square for traders? It then means anybody in that environment is a conspirator directly or indirectly! Any form of draconian contingency to put enemies in their place is a welcome. Many for human rights law use human shields with the help of those people to perpetrate evil... And now the best workable and demeaning language is for bombs to expose them.

ayoolataiwo:
In as much as civilian casualties is highly regretted,these politicians should not politicize these unfortunate incident.The attack was carried out after thorough intelligence and surveillance.The market is a hub of BHT and folks alike,,it was using as a logistics market for their evil operations.So Waziri shut the heck

esnbrutality:
Tinubu told Jonathan to resign because of insecurity...Yoruba man speak without hypocrisy..haba!!

inoki247:
Same tactics Everytime there's an Airstrike....



You people love this terrorism so much....



If we are to deal with this terrorism truely there's no way there won't be Collateral Damage...

Terrorist will always have human shield to be safe are we now going to keep living like this...

That's why some of the kidnapping by bandit if FG visit them with Airstrike plenty collateral damage go happen...

runningriot:
For the purpose of clarity I am not Yoruba. However, I am not a protagonist to what Tinubu did to Jonathan but I can't be having faulty reasoning not to say the truth! Atiku statement is very much expletive and inconsequential to the present security situation of the country his statement should bear the weight of elder stateman which resonate the consciousness of people through providing solutions to practical reality on ground but not to exacerbate issue by trying to be political correct.

Kushites:
UNTIL IT REACHES YOUR TURN.

SOULLESS CREEP.

Bobloco:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/04/jilli-airstrike-a-devastating-failure-atiku-condemns-bombing-of-traders/

ayoolataiwo:
In as much as civilian casualties is highly regretted,these politicians should not politicize these unfortunate incident.The attack was carried out after thorough intelligence and surveillance.The market is a hub of BHT and folks alike,,it was using as a logistics market for their evil operations.So Waziri shut the heck

ayoolataiwo:
In as much as civilian casualties is highly regretted,these politicians should not politicize these unfortunate incident.The attack was carried out after thorough intelligence and surveillance.The market is a hub of BHT and folks alike,,it was using as a logistics market for their evil operations.So Waziri shut the heck