The Arewa Consultative Forum has condemned the killing of no fewer than 30 persons following a military airstrike on a weekly market in Jilli Village along the Borno–Yobe border on Saturday evening.
The forum described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, expressing concern over what it termed the repeated targeting of civilian populations during military operations.
PUNCH Online had reported that many people were feared killed in the strike. Local reports suggest at least 30 people died, while Reuters reported 200 deaths.
The NAF has confirmed conducting precision airstrikes in the Jilli axis under Operation Hadin Kai, but has not publicly addressed civilian casualties.
Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said the development was deeply troubling.
“The ACF is saddened by the news of the airstrike which killed a number of people in a market in Yobe State,” he said.
Muhammad-Baba noted that the latest tragedy was not an isolated case, recalling previous airstrikes that had similarly resulted in civilian casualties.
“We are more concerned because this is not the first time such kind of military strike has left innocent civilians dead. We are very sad that despite promises by the military to take steps to ensure that such tragedies are avoided, it is happening again,” he stated.
He attributed the recurrence of such incidents to what he described as lapses in operational diligence and intelligence gathering by the military.
“It shows carelessness and a lackadaisical attitude where, beyond the initial outrage and regret, the military does it again with tragic results. It is high time this kind of strike is stopped,” he added.
The ACF spokesman stressed that the persistent loss of civilian lives during military operations pointed to deeper systemic issues, including poor intelligence and what he termed a culture of impunity.
“If collateral damage keeps falling on civilians, it boils down to one thing—lack of adequate intelligence and diligence, and of course, a sense of impunity,” he said.
He further lamented that no military personnel had been sanctioned in connection with similar incidents, describing the situation as unacceptable.
“We have never had any military officials punished or otherwise indicted. I think it shows insensitivity on the part of the government and the military,” he said.
While reiterating the forum’s support for the armed forces in their fight against terrorism and banditry, Muhammad-Baba condemned in strong terms what he described as repeated “so-called mistakes.”
“We support the military in all their attempts to exterminate the scourge of terrorism and banditry in this country, but at the same time, we condemn in the strongest and unequivocal terms the so-called mistakes,” he stated.
According to him, the recurrence of such incidents makes it difficult to accept them as mere errors.
“This cannot be a mistake because it will happen again and again without anybody being held responsible,” he said.
The ACF spokesperson called on the Federal Government to go beyond routine condemnations and promises of investigation by taking concrete steps to ensure justice for victims.
“We call on the Federal Government to go beyond the platitude of condemnation and promises of investigation. Full compensation must be paid, and more importantly, we want someone held accountable for this kind of tragedy,” he said.
He added that in other countries, such incidents would have led to immediate consequences for those responsible.
“In some countries, by now, heads would have rolled in the military and defence circles, but in Nigeria, there is silence, as if the lives of ordinary taxpayers and villagers do not amount to anything,” he said.
Muhammad-Baba warned that failure to act decisively would only reinforce a culture of impunity and lead to further tragedies.
He insisted that families of those killed must receive prompt compensation, while the injured should be provided with adequate medical care.
“It should be stopped, and full compensation must be paid immediately. Those who are dead and injured, their families must receive compensation as well as adequate medical care,” he added.