Yet-to-be-ascertained number of civilians have reportedly been injured following an air strike on a market along the Borno–Yobe border.
The incident, according to reports, occurred on Saturday at Dilli Market located between Gubio and Geidam LGAs of Yobe and Borno states.
The air strike was said to have been carried out during a military operation targeted at suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the area.
Dungus Abdulkarim, the Yobe state police spokesperson, confirmed there was an incident at the market which led to casualties.
He, however, said security agencies are unable to provide official casualty figures as of press time.
The spokesperson added that although residents of the community attributed the incident to an air strike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), this was yet to be confirmed.
“Yes, there was an incident that occurred at Dilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border,” he said.
“Officers have been deployed in the area to investigate what actually happened. Although the residents said it was an air strike by the air force that initially targeted Boko Haram terrorists, we cannot confirm that. Only the air force themselves can confirm it.
“At this moment, we do not have confirmed casualty figures, especially because the incident also affected Borno. The market is on the border of Yobe and Borno. But security agencies are on the ground to assess the situation after which there will be an update.”
Emergency response efforts are ongoing, with injured victims reportedly receiving treatment at hospitals in Giedam and Damaturu.
