The Nigerian Air Force has conducted follow-up airstrikes on suspected terrorist hideouts in the Jilli axis of Borno State as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
Report stated earlier that no fewer than 30 people were feared killed after a military airstrike hit a weekly market at Jilli village, located along the Borno–Yobe border, on Saturday evening.
The incident, which occurred at the popular Jilli Market between Gubio and Geidam areas of Yobe State, reportedly caused panic as explosions rocked the busy trading centre, with traders and residents fleeing for safety.
The latest strikes, carried out on April 11, 2026, were executed by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, following an earlier operation that targeted and destroyed terrorist positions in the area.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the follow-up mission targeted fleeing insurgents and regrouping elements attempting to exploit the difficult terrain after the initial assault.
Ejodame said the operation was based on credible intelligence gathered through inter-agency collaboration and verified by the appropriate operational command.
The statement partly read, “In a sustained demonstration of the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to counter-terrorism and the protection of innocent lives, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in ongoing operations on 11 April 2026 successfully executed precision follow-up mop-up air strikes on identified terrorist locations within the Jilli axis of Borno State. The mission was conducted as part of a coordinated air-ground integration operation with the Nigerian Army, following an earlier successful engagement that effectively decimated terrorist positions in the area.
“Coming amid intensified efforts to track and neutralise terrorist elements responsible for recent attacks on security forces within the wider theatre, the follow-on strikes were aimed at fleeing remnants and regrouping cells seeking to exploit the difficult terrain. Acting on credible intelligence received through close coordination with relevant stakeholders and validated by the appropriate operational command, the operation further consolidated gains already achieved by friendly forces.”
The statement added that the follow-up strikes reinforced earlier military gains and highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint operations in limiting terrorist movement and preventing further attacks on both security forces and civilian communities.
The NAF spokesperson further noted that ongoing mop-up operations and coordinated air-ground missions remain part of broader efforts to strengthen security, protect lives and property, and stabilize affected areas across Borno and the wider North-East region.
He reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to sustained surveillance, precision strikes, and rapid response operations in support of national counter-terrorism efforts.
The latest operations form part of intensified efforts under Operation HADIN KAI aimed at eliminating remaining insurgent elements in the North-East.
Borno State continues to remain a major hotspot of insurgency, with recent attacks on security formations prompting sustained joint air and ground responses.
