FG: Military Conducts Intelligence-Led Airstrike in Jilli Axis, Orders Probe of Civilians Casualties
The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force, operating under the military campaign Operation HADIN KAI, conducted a precision airstrike on 11 April 2026 targeting suspected terrorist positions along the Jilli axis in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the operation was “intelligence-led and deliberate,” aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities in one of the most volatile corridors in Nigeria’s North-East, rather than an indiscriminate attack on civilians.
Authorities said the targeted location, widely referred to by locals as “Kasu Daulaye,” has long been assessed as an insurgent-controlled enclave used by elements of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) for logistics coordination, extortion, and operational planning. The government maintained that the area falls within a designated high-risk zone with active security advisories restricting civilian movement.
The statement further cited sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance efforts prior to the strike, adding that the Bindul–Jilli axis has repeatedly featured in security assessments as a major terrorist corridor. Security incidents in recent months, including an improvised explosive device attack in January 2026 and coordinated assaults in Ngamdu and Benisheikh on 9 April, were referenced as part of the operational context.
On 12 April 2026, military personnel reportedly apprehended a 15-year-old ISWAP courier, identified as Tijjani, in Ngamdu. According to authorities, the suspect admitted to transporting funds and logistics between Jilli and other locations, a development the government said underscores the depth of insurgent exploitation of civilians, including minors.
The Federal Government also referenced statements by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who reportedly confirmed that Jilli and Gazabure markets were officially shut years ago due to insurgent domination, reinforcing the classification of the area as a terrorist hub.
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The air operation, carried out in coordination between the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army, was described as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt supply lines and weaken insurgent operational capacity.
While defending the legitimacy of the strike, the Federal Government acknowledged reports of possible civilian casualties and expressed condolences to affected families, stressing that “every Nigerian life is sacred.” It emphasized that any loss of civilian life would be regretted and taken seriously.
In response to the incident, the government announced the establishment of a full and independent investigation to review intelligence processes, targeting decisions, and operational execution, with assurances that accountability mechanisms would be enforced where necessary.
Humanitarian agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and state-level emergency structures such as the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), have been directed to coordinate relief efforts for affected communities.
The government also called on civilians in conflict-affected areas to comply strictly with security advisories and avoid restricted zones, warning that insurgents continue to exploit civilian presence in operational environments.
In its broader security briefing, the Federal Government highlighted recent counterterrorism judicial outcomes disclosed by Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, noting that 386 convictions were secured from 508 terrorism-related cases in a recent Federal High Court trial in Abuja. The convictions reportedly involved members and collaborators of Boko Haram and ISWAP, with sentences ranging up to life imprisonment.
Authorities further noted the publication of a list of 48 individuals and entities linked to terrorism financing, describing it as part of sustained efforts to deny operational funding and safe havens to extremist networks.
Reaffirming its position, the Federal Government stated that it remains committed to defeating insurgency and banditry through sustained military pressure, legal enforcement, and intelligence-led operations, while also pledging strengthened safeguards to reduce civilian harm in future engagements.
By PRNigeria
