April 15, 2026 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has strongly defended the recent military airstrike on Jilli in Borno State, insisting that the operation targeted only individuals linked to terrorist activities.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise TV after a high-level security meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Musa dismissed reports that innocent civilians were killed in the strike.
“There was no innocent person there. Anybody in that location knew what they were doing. They were there for business with terrorists,” he stated.
“Deliberate, Intelligence-Led Operation”
The Defence Minister described the airstrike as a calculated move based on verified intelligence, stressing that Jilli had evolved into a strategic hub for insurgent logistics rather than a civilian marketplace.
“We moved based on intelligence, identified the location, and struck the target. It was a deliberate operation,” Musa said.
He explained that the area had long been designated a restricted zone due to its role as a meeting point for insurgents and their collaborators.
“That place is not a normal civilian market. It is where terrorists meet those who supply them with goods essential for their operations,” he added.
Profit Driving Collaboration With Insurgents
Musa further revealed that economic incentives have continued to attract individuals to the area despite the risks, noting that goods such as rice could be sold at extremely inflated prices.
“If you take a bag of rice there, you can sell it for as much as N150,000. People go there deliberately to make money, fully aware of who they are dealing with,” he said.
He warned that anyone providing logistical support to insurgents should be considered part of the terrorist network.
“He who supports a terrorist is one of them. Your actions enable them to survive and continue their attacks,” he declared.
Questions Over Civilian Casualty Reports
Amid widespread reports alleging civilian deaths, Musa questioned the credibility of the figures being circulated, asking whether there was verifiable evidence to support the claims.
“Did anybody show pictures? Did anyone confirm those numbers?” he asked.
He also cited feedback from local authorities indicating that Jilli was no longer a conventional settlement.
“Anybody familiar with that area understands what it represents. It had been evacuated. So what were people doing there?” he queried.
Zulum Backs Military Position
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, also supported the military’s stance, stating that Jilli market in Gubio Local Government Area had been officially shut down years ago due to its association with insurgent activities.
According to the governor, both Jilli and nearby Gazabure markets were closed five years ago as part of efforts to curb terrorist logistics.
The airstrike, carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, has nonetheless sparked debate across the country, with human rights observers calling for transparency and independent verification of the incident.
Growing Debate Over Counterinsurgency Tactics
The incident has once again highlighted the complexities of Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations, particularly in regions where civilians, traders, and insurgents often intersect.
While the military maintains that targeting supply chains is critical to weakening insurgent groups, critics warn of the risks of civilian harm and the need for greater accountability.
Musa, however, maintained that the fight against insurgency requires firm action and public cooperation.
“If Nigerians stop supporting these groups, this war will end faster,” he said.
He concluded with a stern warning: “Anyone who chooses to operate in that environment risks becoming part of the threat.”
