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Keeps Mum on Alleged Accidental Attack on Market
- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Army has confirmed airstrike action carried out by the air component of the North East Joint Taskforce, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), on Jilili village in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno state.
It however maintained that the attack was conducted and precisely targeted at a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub near the village.
This however contradicted initial report suggesting that the attack had led to the death of several traders in a market at the village which the army claimed to have been abandoned.
As contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the troops’ Media Officer, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the strike carried out on Saturday successful strike followed sustained intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over the Bindul–Jilli axis.
The area was said to have long been identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators.
Sani further disclosed that the airstrike action was triggered by recent ambush and coordinated attacks on troops which had led to the death of some soldiers.
He said that the troops had prior to the airstrike received multiple reports of terrorists convergence at the abandoned village.
“It will be recalled that in January 2026, troops moving from Gubio towards Damasak came under a major Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack along the road at Bindul, resulting in the tragic loss of eight soldiers, while several others were wounded in action.
“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.
“Consequently, ISR coverage over the area was immediately intensified. During the surveillance mission, a contingent of motorcycles was observed moving in the direction of Jilli, followed shortly by the movement of several additional vehicles, all converging on the same location.
“These suspicious movements were subsequently corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, confirming that the converging elements were terrorists, their collaborators, and logistics handlers.” He wrote.
The Army spokesperson affirmed that all operational procedures were undertaken before the attack.
“It is imperative to state that in line with established operational procedures, a rigorous and professional targeting process was undertaken.
“Target fidelity was confirmed through multiple credible Human Intelligence sources, supported by persistent aerial surveillance.
“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.” The statement read.
Sani further noted that the post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave.
As against the claim of civilian casualties, the army spokesperson held that the casualties were largely terrorists and their vehicles.
“Scores of terrorists were neutralised in the strike, with their vehicles and technicals destroyed, while surviving elements were observed fleeing in multiple directions.
“Intelligence further indicates that the neutralised elements were in the final stages of receiving logistics from couriers, for coordinated attacks on troop locations within the Gubio axis.
“This decisive action has therefore significantly disrupted imminent terrorist plans and degraded their operational capability within the Theatre.” He said.
Sani further disclosed the arrest of a terrorist logistics courier identified as “Turja Bulu”.
The suspect was reportedly arrested at Ngamdu Town on Sunday.
Upon preliminary investigation he reportedly confessed that he took part in the attack at 29 Bde location on 9 April 2026 at Benisheik and had been dispatched by ISWAP from Jilli where most of his fellow terrorists were hibernating to provide food items for another group of terrorists currently hibernating around the Magumeri-Gubio General Area.
The army spokesperson reiterated the prohibition of motorcycles across the North East operation centre, especially in Borno and Yobe states.
“The Theatre Command also wishes to reiterate that the use of motorcycles remains strictly prohibited across the North East operational theatre, particularly in Borno and Yobe States, due to their established and continued use by terrorist elements for movement, logistics, and attack operations.
“Any such movements in restricted areas are therefore treated with the utmost seriousness in line with existing operational directives.
“Additionally, Joint Task Force (North East) OPHK assures the good people of the North East and indeed all law-abiding Nigerians, that ongoing operations will continue with renewed intensity until all terrorist enclaves are dismantled and lasting peace and economic stability are restored to the North East region.” The statement added.