‘Collateral Damage’ — Oseni condemns civilian deaths in Borno airstrike, urges INEC integrity audit

Broadcaster and analyst Rufai Oseni has condemned the reported killing of about 30 civilians in an airstrike on Julie Village along the Borno State–Yobe State border, while calling for an independent integrity audit of officials at the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Mr Oseni made the remarks on Monday during Frontpage review programme on VOP 90.3 FM, where he reacted to reports of a deadly air operation in Julie Village, located along the border of Borno State and Yobe State.

“30 people are reported killed after a military air strike in Julie village… explosion rocked the busy market. This is now also a case of collateral damage,” he said.

He stressed the need for greater caution in military operations, noting that civilian protection must remain a priority.

Humanitarian concerns

Mr Oseni highlighted the aftermath of the strike, warning of a growing humanitarian crisis as local hospitals reportedly struggle with blood shortages.

He described the situation as alarming, calling for urgent medical and emergency response to assist affected communities.

INEC integrity questions

Beyond the security situation, the analyst raised concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system, particularly regarding leadership within INEC.

“These are big integrity questions… when integrity questions come asking, they should be able to have a definitive independent forensic evaluation,” he said.

He warned that failure to address such concerns transparently could erode public trust in democratic institutions.

Mr Oseni cautioned political actors against actions that could destabilise the democratic process, urging restraint and accountability.

He linked the broader political tension to ongoing legal and party disputes, stressing the need to protect democratic integrity ahead of critical decisions.