Renowned Islamic scholar and cleric, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, has strongly condemned the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike that reportedly killed over 50 civilians at a busy weekly market in Jilli village, located along the Borno-Yobe border, and called for immediate accountability and a full investigation rather than mere expressions of sympathy.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening during peak trading hours, when multiple fighter jets allegedly bombed the market, resulting in significant civilian casualties. Eyewitness accounts describe the strike hitting innocent traders and locals going about their daily activities.
In a strongly worded Facebook post on Sunday, Sheikh Gumi questioned the circumstances surrounding the operation and demanded transparency from the authorities.
“Who are the pilots behind these bomb releases on innocent locals? Tudun Biri, Nasarawa attack on herdsmen trailer, Sokoto attack etc. are just the few ones recorded. Terror cannot be fought with another terror. There should be an immediate Senate hearings on these so-called ‘mistakes’ on bombing villages, markets and civilians targets.
We need answers not condolences.”
Sheikh Gumi emphasized that repeated incidents of this nature undermine efforts to combat insecurity and erode public trust in military operations. He argued that fighting terror with what he described as “another terror” is counterproductive and urged lawmakers to convene urgent hearings to identify those responsible and prevent future occurrences.
The Nigerian Air Force has since announced an internal probe into the reported civilian casualties in the Jilli airstrike.
Sheikh Gumi’s statement has sparked widespread reactions across the country, with many calling for greater precision in military operations and stronger mechanisms to protect civilian lives in conflict zones.