Jilli market air strike: Military, Yobe govt defend action as Amnesty, ACF kick

The operation was a precision strike on suspected terrorist enclave, logistics hub, their collaborators-Army

Launching air raids in a civilian setting unlawful, outrageous-says AI

We’re probing alleged civilian casualties after Borno air strike- NAF

Emeka Agu Jny with agency reports

Emeka Agu Jny with agency reports

The Nigerian Military and Yobe State government on one hand and Amnesty International and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on the other hand, on Sunday, expressed divergent views regarding the air strike on a market along the Borno–Yobe border.

Recall that several civilians were reportedly killed and injured due to the strike which occurred on Saturday at Jilli Market located between Gubio and Geidam LGAs of Yobe and Borno states.

The air strike was said to have been carried out during a military operation targeted at suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the area.

In a statement on Sunday, Sani Uba, the spokesperson of the Operation Hadin Kai in the north-east, said the operation was conducted on April 11 following intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions over the Bindul-Jilli axis.

The military described the operation as a precision strike on a suspected terrorist enclave, logistics hub, and their collaborators in Jilli area of Gubio LGA of Borno state.

Uba said the area was identified as a movement corridor and convergence point for fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and their collaborators.

He noted that the strike followed recent attacks in the region, including an improvised explosive device (IED) incident in January along Bindul route, which led to the death of eight soldiers, and coordinated attacks on April 9 in Ngamdu and Benisheik.

The military said the aerial surveillance observed motorcycles and vehicles converging near Jilli, with the movement later corroborated by human intelligence sources.

“More recently, on 9 April, coordinated attacks were recorded in Ngamdu and Benisheik, supported by the same terrorist logistics network. Consequently, the Theatre intensified overhead surveillance and intelligence gathering across the area in response to persistent reports of terrorist movement and logistics activity.

“On 11 April 2026, multiple reports were received of ISWAP gun trucks (GT) and motorcycles (MC) moving along the axis,” the statement said.

Uba said the military carried out a “rigorous” targeting process before executing the air strikes.

“Post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave. Scores of terrorists were neutralised in the strike, with their vehicles and technicals destroyed, while surviving elements were observed fleeing in multiple directions,” the statement reads.

The military said intelligence suggested those targeted were preparing logistics for planned attacks on troop locations in Gubio axis.

The military further said “Turja Bulu”,  a suspected logistics courier, was arrested on April 12 in Ngamdu and allegedly confessed to involvement in a previous attack in Benisheik.

The task force reiterated that the use of motorcycles remains prohibited across the north-east operational theatre, especially in Borno and Yobe states.

Also, Yobe State government says the air strike in Jilli market targeted a Boko Haram stronghold in Borno state.

The government said the operation was carried out by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai.

In a statement on Sunday, Dahiru Abdulsalam, special adviser on security matters to the Yobe state governor, said the strike was not targeted at civilians.

“The attention of Yobe state government has been drawn to online reports suggesting an attack on the people of Gaidam Local Government Area,” the statement reads.

“It has become necessary to set the records straight. The Air Component of the Joint Task Force, (Northeast) Operation HADIN KAI conducted an air strike mission on Jilli (a Boko Haram stronghold) of Gubio Local Government Area in Borno State, yesterday Saturday, 11th April 2025.”

Abdulsalam said some residents of Geidam LGA in Yobe state were affected by the incident.

“However, some people from Geidam LGA bordering Gubio LGA in Borno state who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected,” he said.

Abdulsalam said the victims have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

“They have been evacuated to Geidam Specialist Hospital and responding to receiving treatment,” he added.

However, global rights organisation, Amnesty International, has condemned the military air strike at Jilli Market located between Gubio and Geidam LGAs of Yobe and Borno states on Saturday.

In a statement on Sunday, the rights organisation said witnesses reported that three military jets fired on the market on Saturday, killing over 100 people.

The organisation added that the emergency unit of Geidam General Hospital had so far received at least 35 people with severe injuries following the incident.

Amnesty International strongly criticised the use of air power in a civilian setting and questioned the legality of the operation.

“Launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method by anyone’s standard,” the statement reads.

 “Such reckless use of deadly force is unlawful, outrageous and lays bare the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect.”

The organisation called on authorities to take urgent steps to establish accountability and prevent a recurrence.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and impartially investigate the incident and ensure that suspected perpetrators are held to account,” the organisation said.

Also, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the killing of several persons following a military airstrike on a market in Jilli Village along the Borno–Yobe border on Saturday evening.

The forum described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, expressing concern over what it termed the repeated targeting of civilian populations during military operations.

Speaking with a correspondent of Punch newspaper on Sunday, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said the development was deeply troubling.

“The ACF is saddened by the news of the airstrike which killed a number of people in a market in Yobe State,” he said.

Muhammad-Baba noted that the latest tragedy was not an isolated case, recalling previous airstrikes that had similarly resulted in civilian casualties.

“We are more concerned because this is not the first time such kind of military strike has left innocent civilians dead. We are very sad that despite promises by the military to take steps to ensure that such tragedies are avoided, it is happening again,” he stated.

He attributed the recurrence of such incidents to what he described as lapses in operational diligence and intelligence gathering by the military.

“It shows carelessness and a lackadaisical attitude where, beyond the initial outrage and regret, the military does it again with tragic results. It is high time this kind of strike is stopped,” he added.

The ACF spokesman stressed that the persistent loss of civilian lives during military operations pointed to deeper systemic issues, including poor intelligence and what he termed a culture of impunity.

“If collateral damage keeps falling on civilians, it boils down to one thing—lack of adequate intelligence and diligence, and of course, a sense of impunity,” he said.

He further lamented that no military personnel had been sanctioned in connection with similar incidents, describing the situation as unacceptable.

 “We have never had any military officials punished or otherwise indicted. I think it shows insensitivity on the part of the government and the military,” he said.

While reiterating the forum’s support for the armed forces in their fight against terrorism and banditry, Muhammad-Baba condemned in strong terms what he described as repeated “so-called mistakes.”

“We support the military in all their attempts to exterminate the scourge of terrorism and banditry in this country, but at the same time, we condemn in the strongest and unequivocal terms the so-called mistakes,” he stated.

According to him, the recurrence of such incidents makes it difficult to accept them as mere errors.

“This cannot be a mistake because it will happen again and again without anybody being held responsible,” he said.

The ACF spokesperson called on the Federal Government to go beyond routine condemnations and promises of investigation by taking concrete steps to ensure justice for victims.

“We call on the Federal Government to go beyond the platitude of condemnation and promises of investigation. Full compensation must be paid, and more importantly, we want someone held accountable for this kind of tragedy,” he said.

He added that in other countries, such incidents would have led to immediate consequences for those responsible.

“In some countries, by now, heads would have rolled in the military and defence circles, but in Nigeria, there is silence, as if the lives of ordinary taxpayers and villagers do not amount to anything,” he said.

Muhammad-Baba warned that failure to act decisively would only reinforce a culture of impunity and lead to further tragedies.

He insisted that families of those killed must receive prompt compensation, while the injured should be provided with adequate medical care.

“It should be stopped, and full compensation must be paid immediately. Those who are dead and injured, their families must receive compensation as well as adequate medical care,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has launched an investigation into alleged civilian casualties following an air strike in Jilli, Borno State.

In a statement on Sunday, spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the incident was reported to have occurred on Saturday.

Ejodame said reports suggested the strike might have hit a local market in Jilli, raising concerns about civilian casualties.

He said the Chief of the Air Staff had ordered the immediate activation of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell.

According to him, the cell has been deployed to the location on a fact-finding mission into the allegations.

 “The Nigerian Air Force treats all reports of possible civilian harm with the utmost seriousness and empathy.

“The protection of innocent lives remains central to all NAF operations,” he said.

Ejodame said the service remained committed to professionalism, accountability and transparency in its missions.

He added that the force would work with authorities and community representatives to establish the facts.

While the investigation continues, he urged the public and media to avoid speculation and allow due process.

 “The Nigerian Air Force reassures citizens of its resolve to protect national security and civilian lives.

 “Every credible concern will be addressed with diligence and seriousness,” he said.

 

Recall that several civilians were reportedly killed and injured due to the strike which occurred on Saturday at Jilli Market located between Gubio and Geidam LGAs of Yobe and Borno states.

The air strike was said to have been carried out during a military operation targeted at suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the area.

In a statement on Sunday, Sani Uba, the spokesperson of the Operation Hadin Kai in the north-east, said the operation was conducted on April 11 following intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions over the Bindul-Jilli axis.

The military described the operation as a precision strike on a suspected terrorist enclave, logistics hub, and their collaborators in Jilli area of Gubio LGA of Borno state.

Uba said the area was identified as a movement corridor and convergence point for fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and their collaborators.

He noted that the strike followed recent attacks in the region, including an improvised explosive device (IED) incident in January along Bindul route, which led to the death of eight soldiers, and coordinated attacks on April 9 in Ngamdu and Benisheik.

The military said the aerial surveillance observed motorcycles and vehicles converging near Jilli, with the movement later corroborated by human intelligence sources.

“More recently, on 9 April, coordinated attacks were recorded in Ngamdu and Benisheik, supported by the same terrorist logistics network. Consequently, the Theatre intensified overhead surveillance and intelligence gathering across the area in response to persistent reports of terrorist movement and logistics activity.

“On 11 April 2026, multiple reports were received of ISWAP gun trucks (GT) and motorcycles (MC) moving along the axis,” the statement said.

Uba said the military carried out a “rigorous” targeting process before executing the air strikes.

“Post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave. Scores of terrorists were neutralised in the strike, with their vehicles and technicals destroyed, while surviving elements were observed fleeing in multiple directions,” the statement reads.

The military said intelligence suggested those targeted were preparing logistics for planned attacks on troop locations in Gubio axis.

The military further said “Turja Bulu”,  a suspected logistics courier, was arrested on April 12 in Ngamdu and allegedly confessed to involvement in a previous attack in Benisheik.

The task force reiterated that the use of motorcycles remains prohibited across the north-east operational theatre, especially in Borno and Yobe states.

Also, Yobe State government says the air strike in Jilli market targeted a Boko Haram stronghold in Borno state.

The government said the operation was carried out by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai.

In a statement on Sunday, Dahiru Abdulsalam, special adviser on security matters to the Yobe state governor, said the strike was not targeted at civilians.

“The attention of Yobe state government has been drawn to online reports suggesting an attack on the people of Gaidam Local Government Area,” the statement reads.

“It has become necessary to set the records straight. The Air Component of the Joint Task Force, (Northeast) Operation HADIN KAI conducted an air strike mission on Jilli (a Boko Haram stronghold) of Gubio Local Government Area in Borno State, yesterday Saturday, 11th April 2025.”

Abdulsalam said some residents of Geidam LGA in Yobe state were affected by the incident.

“However, some people from Geidam LGA bordering Gubio LGA in Borno state who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected,” he said.

Abdulsalam said the victims have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

“They have been evacuated to Geidam Specialist Hospital and responding to receiving treatment,” he added.

However, global rights organisation, Amnesty International, has condemned the military air strike at Jilli Market located between Gubio and Geidam LGAs of Yobe and Borno states on Saturday.

In a statement on Sunday, the rights organisation said witnesses reported that three military jets fired on the market on Saturday, killing over 100 people.

The organisation added that the emergency unit of Geidam General Hospital had so far received at least 35 people with severe injuries following the incident.

Amnesty International strongly criticised the use of air power in a civilian setting and questioned the legality of the operation.

“Launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method by anyone’s standard,” the statement reads.

 “Such reckless use of deadly force is unlawful, outrageous and lays bare the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect.”

The organisation called on authorities to take urgent steps to establish accountability and prevent a recurrence.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and impartially investigate the incident and ensure that suspected perpetrators are held to account,” the organisation said.

Also, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the killing of several persons following a military airstrike on a market in Jilli Village along the Borno–Yobe border on Saturday evening.

The forum described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, expressing concern over what it termed the repeated targeting of civilian populations during military operations.

Speaking with a correspondent of Punch newspaper on Sunday, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said the development was deeply troubling.

“The ACF is saddened by the news of the airstrike which killed a number of people in a market in Yobe State,” he said.

Muhammad-Baba noted that the latest tragedy was not an isolated case, recalling previous airstrikes that had similarly resulted in civilian casualties.

“We are more concerned because this is not the first time such kind of military strike has left innocent civilians dead. We are very sad that despite promises by the military to take steps to ensure that such tragedies are avoided, it is happening again,” he stated.

He attributed the recurrence of such incidents to what he described as lapses in operational diligence and intelligence gathering by the military.

“It shows carelessness and a lackadaisical attitude where, beyond the initial outrage and regret, the military does it again with tragic results. It is high time this kind of strike is stopped,” he added.

The ACF spokesman stressed that the persistent loss of civilian lives during military operations pointed to deeper systemic issues, including poor intelligence and what he termed a culture of impunity.

“If collateral damage keeps falling on civilians, it boils down to one thing—lack of adequate intelligence and diligence, and of course, a sense of impunity,” he said.

He further lamented that no military personnel had been sanctioned in connection with similar incidents, describing the situation as unacceptable.

 “We have never had any military officials punished or otherwise indicted. I think it shows insensitivity on the part of the government and the military,” he said.

While reiterating the forum’s support for the armed forces in their fight against terrorism and banditry, Muhammad-Baba condemned in strong terms what he described as repeated “so-called mistakes.”

“We support the military in all their attempts to exterminate the scourge of terrorism and banditry in this country, but at the same time, we condemn in the strongest and unequivocal terms the so-called mistakes,” he stated.

According to him, the recurrence of such incidents makes it difficult to accept them as mere errors.

“This cannot be a mistake because it will happen again and again without anybody being held responsible,” he said.

The ACF spokesperson called on the Federal Government to go beyond routine condemnations and promises of investigation by taking concrete steps to ensure justice for victims.

“We call on the Federal Government to go beyond the platitude of condemnation and promises of investigation. Full compensation must be paid, and more importantly, we want someone held accountable for this kind of tragedy,” he said.

He added that in other countries, such incidents would have led to immediate consequences for those responsible.

“In some countries, by now, heads would have rolled in the military and defence circles, but in Nigeria, there is silence, as if the lives of ordinary taxpayers and villagers do not amount to anything,” he said.

Muhammad-Baba warned that failure to act decisively would only reinforce a culture of impunity and lead to further tragedies.

He insisted that families of those killed must receive prompt compensation, while the injured should be provided with adequate medical care.

“It should be stopped, and full compensation must be paid immediately. Those who are dead and injured, their families must receive compensation as well as adequate medical care,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has launched an investigation into alleged civilian casualties following an air strike in Jilli, Borno State.

In a statement on Sunday, spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the incident was reported to have occurred on Saturday.

Ejodame said reports suggested the strike might have hit a local market in Jilli, raising concerns about civilian casualties.

He said the Chief of the Air Staff had ordered the immediate activation of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell.

According to him, the cell has been deployed to the location on a fact-finding mission into the allegations.

 “The Nigerian Air Force treats all reports of possible civilian harm with the utmost seriousness and empathy.

“The protection of innocent lives remains central to all NAF operations,” he said.

Ejodame said the service remained committed to professionalism, accountability and transparency in its missions.

He added that the force would work with authorities and community representatives to establish the facts.

While the investigation continues, he urged the public and media to avoid speculation and allow due process.

 “The Nigerian Air Force reassures citizens of its resolve to protect national security and civilian lives.

 “Every credible concern will be addressed with diligence and seriousness,” he said.