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Says Market Closed Five Years Ago
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Warns Residents against Aiding Boko Haram Insurgents
- Safiu Kehinde
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has defended the military airstrikes on Jilli village market which he claimed to be a notorious hub for terrorists and their logistics suppliers since its official closure five years ago.
NPO Reported that the air component of the Joint North East Task Force, also known as Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), had on Saturday launched airstrikes on the border village considered to be hosting terrorists’ enclave.
Meanwhile, some reports claimed that the airstrike was accidentally discharged on the market with over 50 traders killed.
The Nigerian Army however maintained that the airstrike precisely hit the targeted area, stressing that the village, which is a border community between the Gubio Local Government Area of Borno and the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe, had long been abandoned by its residents.
The army maintained that those killed in the attack are terrorists.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr Dauda Iliya, Zulum affirmed the Nigerian Army’s narrative of the attack.
The Borno governor held that Jilli market is a notorious hub allegedly used by insurgents and their logistics suppliers.
“I have been properly briefed on the airstrike carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on Jilli market, a border town between Borno and Yobe.
“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,” the governor was quoted as saying.
Zulum however warned residents against aiding, harbouring, or providing logistical support to Boko Haram insurgents in the state.
He said that the Borno Government had maintained close coordination with the military and other security agencies before resettling any community or reopening markets, particularly in areas affected by insurgency.
Zulum reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding law-abiding citizens and sustaining collaborative efforts with security agencies to restore lasting peace and stability across the state.
The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that will aid ongoing military operations.