Military bomb terrorists’ market, kills over 100 fighters

…Zulum describe Jilli market as notorious hub, warns residents

…Yobe govt activates emergency response for wounded traders

The Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has carried out a deadly and coordinated airstrike on the Islamic State of West African Province terrorists’ enclave, killing over 100 fighters and their collaborators in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.

It will be recalled that the air bombarded civilians and many were feared dead during a weekly market in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, bordering Yobe State.

BusinessDay exclusively gathered that the remote village of Jilli in the Gubio Council had served as a haven for the terrorists sometimes, and the findings revealed that they planned several key attacks from the axis.

BusinessDay also reliably gathered from a top security source that more than 100 Boko Haram terrorists were eliminated from the multiple airstrikes that hit Jilli during a weekly market.

But, the Yobe State Government has activated its emergency response system following reports of an incident at Jilli Market in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, a border community near Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) disclosed that preliminary information suggests the incident, which occurred earlier on Sunday, might have resulted in casualties, with some victims believed to be traders from Geidam LGA.

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Mohammed Goje, the Executive Secretary (YOSEMA), said the response was initiated on the directive of Governor Mai Mala Buni.
“SEMA, in collaboration with security agencies and health authorities, has swiftly mobilised response teams to the affected area,” Ali stated.

He added that the teams had been tasked with conducting on-the-ground assessments, verifying the situation, and ensuring that necessary support is provided to those impacted.

The military has defended the recent airstrike on Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border, describing it as a necessary military action targeting a known terrorist logistics base.

In a statement issued, San Uba, Lieutenant Colonel Media Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force said a well-coordinated, planned, and intelligence-driven operation had successfully conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.

“The successful strike, executed on 11 April, 2026, followed sustained intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over the Bindul–Jilli axis, an area long identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators.

“On 11 April, 2026, multiple reports were received of ISWAP Gun Trucks(GT) and Motorcycles (MC) moving along the axis. Consequently, ISR coverage over the area was immediately intensified”, Uba said.

He noted that during the surveillance mission, a contingent of motorcycles was observed moving toward Jilli, followed shortly by several additional vehicles converging on the same location.

“These suspicious movements were subsequently corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, confirming that the converging elements were terrorists, their collaborators, and logistics handlers.” Uba emphatically said.

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum has warned residents against aiding, harbouring, or providing logistical support to Boko Haram insurgents.

The warning follows recent operations conducted by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, in the Jilli general area of Gubio Local Government Area on April 11, 2026.

Jilli is a border community between the Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State and the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum described Jilli market as a notorious hub allegedly used by insurgents and their logistics suppliers.

“I have been properly briefed on the airstrike carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on Jilli market, a border town between Borno and Yobe states. Let me state categorically that the Borno State Government closed Jilli and Gazabure markets five years ago,” the governor said.

“I am in close consultation with the Government of Yobe State and the military hierarchy on the matter,” he added.

Governor Zulum explained that the Borno State Government maintains close coordination with the military and other security agencies before resettling any community or reopening markets, particularly in areas affected by insurgency.

He reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding law-abiding citizens and sustaining collaborative efforts with security agencies to restore lasting peace and stability across the State.