Yobe Airstrike: Lawan Demands Independent Investigation

Former President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, has called for an immediate and independent investigation into the military airstrike in Yobe State that reportedly killed over 100 civilians.

In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, Lawan expressed deep sorrow over the incident, which occurred on Saturday, April 11, in Jilli Futchimiram, Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, where military jets targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents allegedly struck a busy local market.

Eyewitnesses said multiple aircraft were involved in the operation, with bombs reportedly hitting the marketplace while traders and residents were carrying out their daily activities.

The resulting explosion allegedly caused mass casualties, with more than 100 people feared dead and dozens others injured.

Medical personnel at the Geidam General Hospital confirmed that at least 35 critically injured victims had been admitted, warning that the death toll could rise.

Reacting to the development, Lawan said that while the military deserves commendation for its sustained efforts in combating insurgency, the scale of civilian casualties raises serious concerns that must be urgently addressed.

“While I fully appreciate the enormous sacrifices of our armed forces and the complexities involved in distinguishing combatants from civilians in conflict zones, the magnitude of this tragedy compels us to ask difficult but necessary questions,” he said.

He stressed that the victims—largely innocent civilians at a local market—deserve justice, adding that their families must be given clear answers on how the incident occurred.

Lawan called on the federal government and military authorities to ensure full transparency by allowing an independent and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike.

He also urged authorities to prioritise the welfare of survivors by ensuring prompt medical attention and adequate compensation for families of those who lost their lives.

The former Senate President extended condolences to Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, the state government, and residents of Geidam Local Government Area over what he described as a tragic and painful loss.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” he added.

Lawan warned that Nigeria’s fight against terrorism must not come at the expense of civilian lives, urging security agencies to adopt more precise and intelligence-driven operational strategies.

“We must never allow the war against terror to desensitise us to the sanctity of innocent human life,” he stated.

The incident is expected to intensify ongoing debates on military conduct in civilian-populated areas and the need for stronger safeguards to minimise collateral damage in counterinsurgency operations.