Federal Government has ordered a full and independent investigation into the recent Nigerian Air Force airstrike under Operation HADIN KAI in the Jilli axis of Gubio Local Government Area, Borno State.
The probe, will review the intelligence, targeting process, and execution of the operation, with a view to identifying any gaps and ensuring accountability where necessary.
In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the strike was a deliberate, intelligence-led counter-terrorism operation and not an indiscriminate attack.
He explained that the mission was carried out in one of the most active insurgent corridors in the North-East.
He noted that the area had long been designated a high-risk zone, with security advisories restricting civilian presence.
The Federal Government added that the operation followed sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance of the Jilli axis, locally known as Kasu Daulaye — meaning “terrorists’ market” — which has reportedly operated as an insurgent-controlled enclave for years.
According to the government, intelligence reports confirmed that Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters used the area to collect levies, procure supplies, and coordinate attacks.
The assessment was further reinforced on April 12, 2026, when troops reportedly arrested a 15-year-old ISWAP courier, Tijjani, in Ngamdu.
He allegedly confessed to transporting funds and logistics between Jilli and other locations, highlighting the continued exploitation of civilians, including minors, by terrorist groups.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, also confirmed that the Jilli and Gazabure markets had been officially shut down five years ago due to insurgent control, describing the area as a known terrorist operations hub.
Security authorities also identified the Bindul–Jilli corridor as a major route for insurgent activities. In January 2026, troops suffered casualties from an IED attack along the axis, while coordinated attacks in Ngamdu and Benisheikh on April 9 were linked to the same network.
Following what it described as a rigorous targeting process, the Nigerian Air Force, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, said it confirmed the presence of terrorist elements before carrying out the strike aimed at disrupting supply lines and degrading insurgent capabilities.
The government said it is working with the Borno and Yobe State Governments, as well as NEMA and SEMA, to provide humanitarian assistance to affected families, while additional operational safeguards would be introduced.
Citizens were urged to comply strictly with security advisories, avoid restricted zones, and cooperate with security agencies, especially in conflict-prone areas.
RN