Airstrike on Jilli Market Targeted Boko Haram Stronghold, Military Says Amid Civilian Casualty Claims

The Nigerian military has defended a recent airstrike on Jilli village in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, saying the location was a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub used by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The operation, carried out on April 11, 2026, by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, targeted what authorities described as a major terrorist movement corridor along the Bindul–Jilli axis near the border of Borno and Yobe states.

The strike has, however, sparked controversy following reports that dozens of civilians may have been killed after explosions struck the busy Jilli weekly market, where traders and buyers from surrounding communities often gather.

Military Justifies Strike

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, said the operation was carefully planned and intelligence-driven.

According to him, the airstrike followed sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that identified the area as a convergence point for ISWAP fighters and their collaborators.

He explained that surveillance on April 11 detected a convoy of motorcycles and vehicles moving toward Jilli village, which intelligence sources confirmed were being used by terrorists and logistics handlers.

“Upon final validation, the Air Component executed a series of precision strikes on the objective while surveillance platforms maintained continuous overwatch for real-time battle damage assessment,” Uba said.

He added that the strike destroyed the identified terrorist logistics enclave, neutralising scores of fighters and destroying their vehicles and equipment.

Civilian Casualty Reports

Earlier reports indicated that at least 30 people were feared killed when the airstrike hit the Jilli weekly market on Saturday evening.

The market, located between Gubio in Borno State and Geidam in Yobe State, is a popular trading centre attracting residents and traders from neighbouring communities.

Witnesses said the explosions caused panic as traders and residents fled the area.

Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of casualties.

Background to the Operation

The military said the strike was partly in response to recent attacks linked to the same terrorist network operating in the region.

In January 2026, troops moving from Gubio toward Damasak reportedly hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Bindul, killing eight soldiers and injuring several others.

More recently, coordinated attacks were recorded on April 9 in Ngamdu and Benisheik, which the military said were supported by the same logistics network.

Following these incidents, theatre commanders intensified aerial surveillance across the axis to track terrorist movements and supply routes.

Arrest of Suspected Logistics Courier

The military also disclosed that a suspected terrorist logistics courier identified as “Turja Bulu” was arrested on April 12 in Ngamdu town.

According to the statement, the suspect allegedly confessed during preliminary interrogation to participating in the April 9 attack on a military formation in Benisheik and providing food supplies to fighters operating around the Magumeri–Gubio axis.

Motorcycle Ban Reiterated

The military reiterated that the use of motorcycles remains banned across the North-East operational theatre due to their frequent use by insurgents for movement and logistics.

Officials warned that any motorcycle movement in restricted areas would continue to be treated as a potential security threat.

The military said the latest strike demonstrated its determination to maintain pressure on terrorist groups, disrupt their logistics networks and limit their operational capabilities across the region.

However, calls for an investigation into the reported civilian casualties are expected to intensify as details of the incident continue to emerge.