Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s defence strategy following reports of an accidental airstrike at Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border that reportedly killed several civilians.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Obi described the incident as tragic and extended condolences to families of the victims, urging authorities to strengthen coordination and upgrade military equipment to prevent similar occurrences.
“I read the reports of the accidental airstrike at Jilli Market in the Borno–Yobe border area, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of several innocent Nigerians. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of the affected states in this painful tragedy. May God grant eternal rest to the departed and comfort to all who are grieving,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor noted that he deliberately avoided drawing conclusions while investigations were ongoing, stressing that the full details of the incident were yet to emerge.
“I have refrained from making any hasty conclusions on the matter, as the details remain unclear, including what exactly transpired and the confirmed casualty figures,” he added.
However, Obi observed that such incidents often stem from operational challenges, poor coordination, and outdated military equipment, emphasizing that Nigeria must urgently modernize its defence systems.
“That said, such tragic incidents are often associated with a combination of factors, including operational constraints, coordination challenges, and limitations in equipment and ageing platforms. We have witnessed similar occurrences in Nigeria in the past, and this underscores the urgent need to invest in modern fighter jets, upgrade existing platforms, and ensure continuous, rigorous training and retraining of military personnel,” he said.
Obi also expressed solidarity with Nigerian troops fighting insurgency, noting that while their sacrifices must be acknowledged, they must also be properly equipped to carry out their duties safely.
“In the midst of the challenges facing the country, we must continue to stand in solidarity with our military personnel who risk their lives daily to keep Nigeria safe, while also insisting that they are properly equipped and fully supported to discharge their duties effectively and prevent avoidable tragedies of this nature,” he noted.
He further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive steps to address worsening insecurity across the country.
“Overall, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must rise fully to the immense challenge of national security. At this critical time, decisive leadership, strengthened coordination of security architecture, and sustained investment in modern defence capacity are required to address the worsening insecurity and prevent further loss of innocent lives,” Obi concluded.
The reported airstrike at Jilli Market, located along the border communities of Borno State and Yobe State, has sparked renewed concerns about operational safety in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations and calls for improved intelligence coordination to protect civilians.