NAF airstrikes kill 30 people in Jilli border community of Yobe.

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

No less than 30 people are feared killed after the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) military airstrikes have hit a market in the Jilli border community of Geidam Local Council in Yobe State.

Jilli shares borders with Borno State with the holding of a Saturday weekly market with Geidam town, also a major border community with the Niger Republic.

The incident, which occurred at the popular market, reportedly left many traders and residents in panic with several explosions that disrupted the buying and selling of goods and services, including livestock.

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Confirming the airstrikes, in a telephone interview on Sunday in Damaturu, the Councillor of the area, Malam Lawan Zannah, said, “From the information available to us, it was an airstrike, as more than 30 of our people have been confirmed dead,” adding that more than 20 were hospitalised at Geidam General Hospital.

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Eyewitnesses also revealed, “The attack on the market and thousands of traders started around 4:00 p.m. while commercial activities were ongoing, with several fighter jets reportedly hitting the market and some traders fleeing for safety in nearby bushes.”

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A survivor of airstrikes said, “I counted 56 corpses myself, while more bodies are still being recovered. at market square and nearby farms.

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Other sources in the border community indicated that the strike may have been aimed at suspected Boko Haram terrorists, who allegedly gathered in the area, but the bombs reportedly continue to hit the crowded market instead.”

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The weekly border market draws many traders from nearby communities, including Gubio, Chiweram, Benisheik, Gurokayeya and Geidam.

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The Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Security Matters is Brigadier General.-Gen. Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd), on Sunday also confirmed the incident but said, “Jilli village falls within Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.”

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As of press time, the Nigerian Air Force has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident that resulted in the feared deaths of 30 people.

ADC Backs NBA, Insists Courts Have No Role in Party Leadership Disputes

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed its support for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)’s position, asserting that the judiciary should not interfere in internal disputes within political parties.

In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the NBA’s recent caution against misuse of the courts reinforces ADC’s long-held stance on the limits of judicial intervention in party matters.

According to him, the legal body’s position exposes what he described as ongoing attempts to weaken the leadership headed by David Mark through court actions that do not align with Nigeria’s electoral laws.

Abdullahi argued that the matter at hand should not be treated as genuine litigation but rather as a calculated effort to exploit the legal system for political gain.

He accused certain actors of engaging in tactics, such as filing multiple suits in different courts—commonly known as forum shopping—to create confusion and destabilise the party’s recognised leadership.

He further stressed that any court ruling secured in violation of statutory provisions lacks legitimacy and cannot be used as a basis to alter the structure or leadership of the party.

The ADC spokesman expressed concern that continued recourse to the courts in such matters was creating unnecessary uncertainty, while also undermining established democratic processes within political parties.

He praised the NBA for standing firm in defence of the rule of law and warning legal practitioners against actions that could erode public confidence in the judiciary. Abdullahi noted that the association’s call for disciplinary action against erring lawyers highlights the gravity of the situation.

The party also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain strict neutrality and avoid taking steps that could be interpreted as endorsing processes inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Abdullahi concluded that the issue goes beyond internal party affairs, describing it as a test of Nigeria’s democratic integrity.

He reaffirmed the ADC’s resolve to pursue lawful avenues in protecting its mandate and upholding democratic principles.

No Land Grab: GOGIS Debunks Rumours, Reassures Gombe Residents

By Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

The Gombe State Geographic Information System (GOGIS) has dismissed reports alleging that it is taking over farmlands and landed properties belonging to residents, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Director-General of the agency, Dr. Kabiru Usman Hassan, made the clarification while speaking with journalists, expressing concern over the spread of what he termed misinformation capable of creating unnecessary tension among the public.

He stressed that there was no directive from Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya authorising GOGIS to confiscate land from residents, insisting that the agency operates strictly within the confines of the law.

“There is no truth in the claim that we are seizing people’s farmlands or properties. The government has not given such instruction, and GOGIS has not carried out any such action,” he said.

Dr. Kabiru explained that in situations where land acquisition becomes necessary for public purposes, the agency adheres to due process and ensures that affected property owners are adequately compensated in line with legal provisions.

He further clarified that certain areas, including forest reserves, fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, while the Gombe State Government has issued a white paper to guide the proper demarcation of grazing zones and protected lands.

According to him, a special committee—separate from GOGIS—has been tasked with implementing the demarcation exercise, noting that the committee has not confiscated any farmland or property in the course of its work.

The GOGIS boss urged residents to disregard the rumours and remain calm, while continuing to support government initiatives aimed at orderly land administration and development.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, lawful operations, and the protection of citizens’ property rights across the state.