FG defends intelligence-led strike on Borno terror hub, orders probe

The Federal Government has defended the April 11 airstrike on the Jilli axis in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, describing it as an intelligence-led operation targeting an insurgent enclave, while ordering an investigation into the incident.

In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said the Nigerian Air Force carried out the strike under Operation HADIN KAI after sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in the area.

According to Idris, “the Jilli axis, locally referred to as “Kasu Daulaye,” has served as a logistics and coordination hub for Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, who use the corridor to collect levies, procure supplies, and plan attacks across the North-East”.

Idris said the strike was “deliberate and not indiscriminate,” noting that the location had been classified as a high-risk zone, with security advisories restricting civilian movement.

The government acknowledged reports of civilian casualties, expressed condolences to affected families, and reiterated that protecting civilian lives remains a core obligation of the armed forces.

To address concerns over the operation, the Federal Government has ordered a review of the intelligence, targeting, and execution processes. Officials said the probe is aimed at identifying operational gaps and ensuring accountability where necessary.

Security sources cited in the statement said the operation followed weeks of surveillance amid insurgent activity along the Bindul–Jilli corridor, a route linked to improvised explosive device (IED) attacks on troops and assaults on nearby communities, including Ngamdu and Benisheikh earlier in April.

The government also referenced the arrest of a 15-year-old ISWAP courier in Ngamdu, who reportedly admitted to transporting funds and logistics between Jilli and other locations. Authorities said this highlights the extent of insurgent networks in the area, including the use of civilians and minors.

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno State, has described Jilli and nearby Gazabure as insurgent-controlled markets, noting that both locations were shut down several years ago due to security concerns.

The minister said it is working with state authorities and emergency agencies to provide humanitarian support to affected communities, while reviewing safeguards to minimise civilian harm in future engagements.

The statement also highlighted broader counterterrorism efforts, including the prosecution of terrorism-related offences. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said convictions have been secured in trials involving Boko Haram and ISWAP suspects, with sentences ranging up to life imprisonment.

The minister added that the development underscores ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s North-East, with implications for regional stability, humanitarian conditions, and economic recovery.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military pressure on insurgent groups while strengthening accountability in operations, signalling a focus on both security effectiveness and institutional credibility.