By Adesakin Adefemi
The Nigerian Army has justified its decision to strike a suspected terrorist location in Jilli Village, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, saying the area was a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub.
The airstrike, which occurred on April 11, 2026, reportedly killed over 30 people and injured many more, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for investigation.
The Media Information Officer, Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, said the strike was conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai in coordination with the Nigerian Army, following an earlier operation that targeted and destroyed terrorist positions in the area.
Uba explained that the location was a major movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and their collaborators, and that the strike was a response to persistent reports of terrorist movement and logistics activity.
The Nigerian Army said the strike was carefully planned and executed, with intelligence-driven surveillance and reconnaissance missions confirming the presence of terrorists in the area.
The army also claimed that scores of terrorists were neutralized in the strike, with their vehicles and technicals destroyed, and that the operation had significantly disrupted imminent terrorist plans and degraded their operational capability.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike.
The Nigerian government has yet to comment on the incident, but the army has assured that it will continue to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and eliminate terrorist threats in the region.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of insecurity in Nigeria, with Boko Haram insurgents continuing to pose a threat to civilians and security forces in the region.
