Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has called for a Senate investigation into recent military airstrikes, insisting that condolences are insufficient in the face of reported civilian casualties.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Sunday, Gumi questioned the conduct of military operations and demanded accountability from authorities. He asked, “Who are the pilots behind these bomb releases on innocent locals?” while referencing previous incidents in Tudun Biri, Nasarawa, Sokoto, and other locations.
Among the incidents cited was the Tudun Biri airstrike in December 2023, which resulted in significant civilian casualties.
“Terror cannot be fought with another terror. There should be an immediate Senate hearing on these so-called ‘mistakes’ involving the bombing of villages, markets and civilian targets. We need answers, not condolences,” he said.
Gumi’s remarks follow reports of an airstrike that hit a weekly market in Jilli village along the border of Borno State and Yobe State on Saturday evening.
However, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum stated that the Jilli market in Gubio Local Government Area had been closed for the past five years, describing the location as a hub allegedly used by insurgents and their logistics suppliers.
Local sources reported that no fewer than 30 people were feared killed in the incident, which occurred around 4:00 p.m. during trading activities. A councillor in the area, Lawan Zannah, reportedly confirmed the death toll, adding that more than 20 others were hospitalised.
Eyewitnesses said multiple fighter jets participated in the operation, with some claiming that dozens of bodies were recovered as panic spread among traders and residents.
Security sources indicated that the strike may have targeted suspected members of Boko Haram believed to be gathered in the area, but the bombs reportedly hit the crowded market instead.
The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor, Abdulsalam Dahiru, confirmed the incident but clarified that Jilli village is located within Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
Gumi, known for advocating dialogue and engaging armed groups in the North-West, maintained that repeated airstrike incidents affecting civilian locations must be thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.
