At least 200 people are feared dead after a Nigerian military airstrike hit a village market in the northeast state of Yobe, according to local officials and residents.
The strike reportedly happened on Saturday night while the military was targeting Islamist militants in the area. However, witnesses say the attack hit a crowded weekly market where traders and shoppers had gathered.
Local leaders described the incident as extremely devastating, saying many injured people were rushed to hospitals in both Yobe and neighboring Borno state. Some survivors said they were caught off guard and tried to escape the blast as panic spread through the market.
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed it had carried out operations in the region against militant groups but said it has launched an investigation into reports of civilian casualties. A special team has been sent to the site to gather facts.
Officials in Yobe state also acknowledged that an airstrike occurred near the market and said emergency response teams have been activated to assist victims and assess the situation.
The region has faced years of violence linked to Islamist insurgent groups, and civilians have often been caught in the middle of military operations.
Authorities say the exact number of casualties is still being verified, but early reports suggest one of the deadliest incidents in recent years in the area.
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