The Yobe State Government and a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), have defended the recent military airstrike on Jilli market, describing the area as a known terrorist stronghold, even as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) launched an investigation into reports of civilian casualties.

The Yobe State Government clarified that Jilli, the community affected by the airstrike, is located in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, and not in Yobe, as widely reported.

The Security Adviser to the Governor, Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (retd.), disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists while addressing reports suggesting that the incident occurred in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

“The attention of the Yobe State Government has been drawn to online reports suggesting an attack on the people of Geidam Local Government Area.

“It has become necessary to set the record straight. The Air Component of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, conducted an air strike mission on Jilli — a Boko Haram stronghold — in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday, April 11, 2025,” the statement read in part.

Abdulsalam added that some of the victims were residents of Geidam Local Government Area who had travelled to the Jilli weekly market.

“Some of the affected victims came from Geidam LGA, which borders Gubio LGA in Borno State. They had gone to the Jilli weekly market and have since been evacuated to Geidam Specialist Hospital, where they are responding to treatment,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of Maiduguri Specialist Hospital, Dr. Shehu Mohammed, confirmed that the facility had received 21 injured victims from the airstrike.

Mohammed stated that all the patients were in stable condition, although some required blood transfusions before undergoing surgery. He appealed to residents to support the victims through blood donations.

Several fatalities were feared following the strike on the market, located in a border community.

A source disclosed that a military fighter jet had been tracking suspected Boko Haram insurgents believed to have moved to the market to collect levies from residents before the incident occurred.

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, on Sunday described Jilli market as a notorious hub allegedly used by insurgents and their logistics suppliers.

He warned residents against aiding, harbouring, or providing logistical support to Boko Haram insurgents.

“I have been properly briefed on the air strike carried out by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI on Jilli market, a border town between Borno and Yobe states. Let me state categorically that the Borno State Government closed Jilli and Gazabure markets five years ago.

“I am in close consultation with the Government of Yobe State and the military hierarchy on the matter,” he said in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Dauda Iliya.

While condemning the incident, Amnesty International alleged that more than 100 people were killed, adding that the emergency unit of Geidam General Hospital had received at least 35 persons with severe injuries.

However, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Sunday that it had commenced an investigation into reports of civilian casualties.

In a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF stated that it “treats all reports of possible civilian harm with the utmost seriousness and empathy”.

Also weighing in, Buratai described the airstrike as a necessary military action based on credible intelligence.

In his statement, Buratai said Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters had been using Jilli market for logistics and operational activities.

He acknowledged reports of civilian casualties, noting that the loss of innocent lives was both painful and deeply regrettable.

The former army chief, however, commended the Nigerian Air Force and intelligence agencies for what he described as their courage and professionalism in executing the operation.

According to him, Jilli market has long served as a logistics hub for terrorist groups, despite repeated military raids and closures over the years.

He recalled that troops occupied the area during Operation LAST HOLD in 2018, engaging insurgents in several encounters.

Buratai further noted that insurgents continued to exploit the market, allegedly with the cooperation of some individuals who traded with and supplied them.

He stressed that terrorists often embed themselves within civilian populations, using them as human shields, thereby complicating military operations.

“No military wishes to harm civilians, but when such locations are persistently used by terrorists, action becomes necessary,” he said.

He urged residents of Geidam, Gubio, Damasak, and Ngamdu to refrain from trading in markets linked to insurgent activities.

According to him, communities that maintain such interactions risk exposure to military operations targeting terrorists.

Buratai called for sustained public support for the armed forces, emphasising that decisive action remains crucial to ending the insurgency.

He added that while the nation mourns innocent victims, it must remain resolute in confronting terrorism.

He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for the speedy recovery of the injured.