Dozens of people killed in northeast Nigeria air strikes by army

Dozens of people, including many civilians, were killed and injured on Saturday by military planes chasing jihadists in the state of Yobe, in northeastern Nigeria, according to residents and the NGO Amnesty International on Sunday.

Africa’s most populous country has been dealing with a jihadist insurgency for 17 years, sparked in 2009 by the violence of Boko Haram and fueled by powerful dissident factions like the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP).

Over the past 10 days, over 100 people have been killed in the northern region by jihadists and criminal gangs known as “bandits,” who have increased their attacks on military bases and villages in these regions near the Sahel since last year.

Nigerian army airstrikes have previously cost the lives of civilians. Investigations into these incidents generally do not lead to concrete results.

**Fact Check: There have been conflicting reports on the number of casualties from the airstrikes in Yobe. Amnesty International reported over 100 deaths, while a security report for the UN mentioned at least 56 deaths and 14 injuries, and a local chief claimed around 200 dead and injured.

An investigation is underway to verify the civilian casualties claims following the bombing. The Nigerian Air Force has activated an immediate investigating body to assess damages caused to civilians.

**Context: The airstrikes in Yobe targeted the village of Jilli, known for being a significant terrorist corridor and convergence point for ISWAP terrorists and collaborators. The market in Jilli is reportedly controlled by Boko Haram and serves as a gathering place for traders.

The village market attracts traders from distant states, and Boko Haram provides security and collects taxes from them, according to a Nigerian intelligence source.

Approximately 70 wounded individuals have been transported to Maiduguri as Geidam hospital was unable to handle the large number of victims.

Victims of the bombing have recounted tragic losses. A 22-year-old man, Zarami Abor, lost his father and two brothers in the attack. Issa Mammane, a 29-year-old survivor, revealed that five of his family members were killed during the Nigerian Air Force’s bombardment of their market.

The airstrikes by the Nigerian military frequently affect civilians in the region.

The increase in violence in northern Nigeria is driven by both jihadist groups and criminal gangs amid extreme poverty in the area. Despite losing control of some territories, jihadists continue their actions in rural areas where attacks have surged in recent months.

The jihadist insurgency has resulted in more than 40,000 deaths and displaced approximately two million people in predominantly Muslim northeastern Nigeria since 2009.

In December, the United States conducted airstrikes in the northwest state of Sokoto, targeting Islamic State fighters typically present in neighboring Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Following this, the US deployed 200 soldiers to Nigeria to support and train Nigerian forces.