The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has defended the Nigerian military over the controversial airstrike on Jilli village market near the Borno–Yobe border.
Reacting on X on Monday, Olusegun stated that anyone conducting business with terrorists should be regarded as a legitimate military target, not civilians. He made the comment while responding to a radio broadcaster, Osasu Suave, who questioned whether images circulating online truly showed a market.
The broadcaster had asked, “For once, look at this image again. Does this look like a market to you?”
In response, Olusegun said, “Anyone who is doing business with terrorists are legitimate military targets for our nation’s armed forces and not civilians.”
The airstrike, carried out by the Nigerian Air Force under Operation HADIN KAI, targeted Jilli Saturday market in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. The military said the location was a terrorist logistics hub used by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province and that the operation was based on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Officials explained that the strike followed verified intelligence showing movement of motorcycles and gun trucks linked to suspected terrorists gathering in the area. They added that the operation was part of ongoing efforts against insurgent activities in the region.
However, local sources and emergency agencies disputed the military’s account, saying civilians were among those affected. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency reported that traders from Geidam LGA who had crossed into the area for market activities were caught up in the strike.
Preliminary local reports placed the death toll at over 40 civilians, though this figure has not been independently confirmed. The Defence Headquarters maintained that the area had long been identified as a terrorist corridor and insisted that the strike followed strict targeting procedures.
The military also referenced past attacks on troops in the region as justification for increased surveillance and operations. Meanwhile, the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, acknowledged the area’s security challenges but urged caution and cooperation with security agencies.