Nigeria’s Air Force allegedly struck down over a hundred civilians following a botched operation to eliminate terrorists that the U.S. has already offered to help eliminate, reports say.
The strike decimated a remote market, believed to often be used by Boko Haram jihadis, near Borno-Yobe after intelligence suggested that the designated foreign terrorist organization, responsible for killing Christians in the state, was gathering nearby in preparation for an attack on neighboring communities, The Associated Press reported.
While the AP estimates the death toll to include at least 100 civilians, including children, Reuters estimates that the number could be as high as 200. (RELATED: Pentagon And Vatican Did Joint Damage Control — Did Trump Just Blow It Up?)
However, a presidential spokesman argued that the narrative portraying the deaths as civilian casualties is “inaccurate,” as those killed were “terrorists, their logistics suppliers, informants and collaborators,” according to Bloomberg.
“The market was a legitimate military target because it has been turned to a logistics and trading hub by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army characterized it as a “precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub,” following suspicious movements in the area resulting in the death of “scores of terrorists,” according to a statement.
OPERATION HADIN KAI: AIR COMPONENT NEUTRALISES TERRORIST LOGISTICS HUB AND ENCLAVE IN PRECISION AIR STRIKE AT JILLI, GUBIO LGA OF BORNO STATE
The Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in a carefully planned and intelligence-driven operation,… pic.twitter.com/LrJ5wedZsb
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) April 12, 2026
However, Amnesty International’s Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi, told the AP that they have photos showing that children were among the casualties, and that they have spoken with victims and the hospital.
The AP estimates that at least 500 civilians have died in similar misfires since 2017.
These deaths accompany an estimated 52,250 Nigerian Christians who have been martyred since 2009, according to Vatican News, and the many moderate Muslims who have been slaughtered in attacks as well.
Although currently preoccupied with Operation Epic Fury in Iran, President Donald Trump has taken a special interest in what’s happening in Nigeria, beginning with its designation as a country of particular concern in October due to the government’s inability to hold these terrorists responsible for their attacks on Christians, and has even launched missiles at targets in a coordinated attack against such groups on Christmas.
In November, Trump had also threatened to cut all U.S. trade with Nigeria for allowing the killing of Christians, and even said that the U.S. may go in “guns-a-blazing” to wipe out the Islamic terrorist organizations responsible for the attacks.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” Trump warned.
Trump also sent 200 troops in February to assist in intelligence gathering.
More recently, former senator, governor, and ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback urged the Nigerian government to take advantage of the backing of the U.S. government, believing that the continued lack of action will lead to the splitting up of the country.
However, the attacks continue, as dozens were killed over Easter week, despite intelligence, shown to be accurate, being presented to them. Another terrorist attack took place Sunday, resulting in the death of eight, according to the regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo. (RELATED: REPORT: Dozens Killed, Kidnapped In Easter Weekend Attacks Despite Warnings)
The Nigerian office of the Presidency did not return the Daily Caller’s request for comment.
