Ex-Senate President Lawan Demands Probe of Jilli Airstrike

 Former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has expressed concern over the reported civilian casualties following an air strike on Jilli market, a suspected terrorist logistic hub situated along the Borno and Yobe States border community.
‎

Lawan, who represents Yobe North in the Senate, said the strike, which targeted suspected Boko Haram insurgents, resulted in significant loss of civilian lives.

The lawmaker said that the Jilli Futchimiram market is located in the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State,

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had earlier dismissed reports of the Army targeting civilians, warning residents against aiding insurgents.

In a Statement after the military airstrike, the governor said the market had been shut down five years ago due to its alleged use as a logistics hub for terrorist groups.

However, Lawan, in a statement on Monday, said that the airstrike, despite its intention of targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents, has reportedly led to what he described as “catastrophic loss of civilian lives.”

He wrote, “I am deeply saddened and disturbed by reports emanating from Jilli Futchimiram in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, where a military airstrike, targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents, has reportedly led to catastrophic loss of civilian lives.

“According to eyewitness accounts, multiple military jets took part in the operation, and the strike hit a local market, leaving over 100 people feared dead and dozens more injured.”

The lawmaker added that medical sources at Geidam General Hospital have confirmed receiving at least 35 severely injured victims, with fears that the casualty count may still rise.

Lawan, while commending the armed forces for sustained effort against insurgency, said that the large scale of civilian casualty reported demands answers.

“While I fully appreciate the enormous sacrifices of our armed forces in the ongoing fight against insurgency, and the difficulty of distinguishing combatants from civilians in complex environments, the reported scale of this tragedy demands that we pause and ask hard questions.

“Without prejudice to the integrity of our military, I believe the victims, largely innocent civilians going about their daily livelihoods at a local market, deserve a full, transparent, and independent inquiry. Their families deserve answers and justice,” he maintained.

The Lawmaker condoled with the Governor of Yobe State, saying, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, the Yobe State Government, the people of Geidam LGA and the entire Yobe State. My prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Amin.”

He also urged the Federal Government to facilitate investigation, medical care for survivors, and provide compensation to the victims’ families.

“We must never allow the fight against terror to desensitise us to the sanctity of innocent life. I urge the Federal Government and military high command to immediately facilitate unhindered access for investigators, ensure medical care for survivors, and provide compensation to the families of victims,” he concluded.