The Federal Government has clarified that the April 11 airstrike on the Jilli axis in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State was a targeted military operation aimed at disrupting terrorist logistics, not civilians.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the strike followed credible intelligence confirming the presence of insurgents in the area.
According to him, the operation was carried out by the Nigerian Air Force under Operation HADIN KAI as part of ongoing efforts to degrade the capabilities of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East.
“The operation was a deliberate, intelligence-led mission, not an indiscriminate attack,” Idris stated.
The government described the Jilli axis, locally known as “Kasu Daulaye,” as a long-standing insurgent hub where fighters assemble, collect levies, and transport supplies. It added that the area had been designated a high-risk zone, with repeated warnings issued to civilians to stay away.
While acknowledging reports of civilian casualties, the government expressed sympathy with affected families and those injured.
“Every Nigerian life is sacred, and any loss of civilian life is deeply regretted,” the minister said.
Officials disclosed that the strike followed weeks of surveillance, prompted by a series of attacks linked to the same network operating along the Bindul–Jilli corridor. The area had also been associated with recent incidents, including an IED explosion and coordinated attacks in Ngamdu and Benisheikh.
The statement further highlighted the arrest of a 15-year-old ISWAP courier in Ngamdu, identified as Tijjani, who allegedly confessed to transporting funds and supplies between Jilli and other locations. Authorities said this underscored the continued activity of the network and the use of minors in insurgent operations.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, was also quoted as noting that Jilli and the nearby Gazabure market had been shut down about five years ago after coming under insurgent control.
Following the incident, the Federal Government said it had ordered a full investigation to assess the operation and address any identified lapses.
“The protection of civilian lives remains a core obligation of the Armed Forces,” Idris added.
He further disclosed that measures were underway to support affected communities, with federal agencies collaborating with the Borno and Yobe State governments to deliver relief.
Residents in conflict-prone areas were urged to adhere strictly to security advisories and avoid restricted zones, while the public was encouraged to support ongoing military operations.
The government also cautioned against the spread of unverified information, warning that misinformation could undermine security efforts.
On the broader counter-terrorism campaign, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, was cited as revealing that hundreds of terrorism-related convictions had been secured at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The trials, he said, were monitored by organisations including Amnesty International, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the National Human Rights Commission.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military operations against insurgents, stating that the incident would not deter ongoing efforts to combat terrorism.
