The Nigerian Army has announced that a targeted airstrike on a terrorist encampment in Jilli, a community in Yobe State bordering Borno, resulted in the deaths of scores of suspected militants. This information was shared in a statement released by Sani Uba, who serves as the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, the joint task force operating in the North-east.
This development follows earlier reports that military airstrikes had struck a market in Jilli, leading to civilian fatalities. Amnesty International Nigeria has voiced strong condemnation of the operation, suggesting that over 100 individuals may have lost their lives.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had previously confirmed its involvement in the operation. Its spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, stated on Sunday that the strike was aimed at terrorists and was conducted in coordination with ground troops from the Nigerian Army. Mr. Ejodame’s statement did not, however, comment on the allegations of civilian deaths, nor did he respond to specific inquiries on the matter from our correspondent.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba, in his statement, detailed that the operation was executed by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai and was characterized as meticulously planned and based on intelligence. He specified that the strike on April 11 targeted a known terrorist base and logistics center situated near Jilli village.
According to Mr. Uba, this location has long been recognized as a crucial route for militant movements and a gathering point for fighters affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The operation was reportedly initiated after several weeks of heightened intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in the region, prompted by recent assaults on military installations.
He referenced an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on the Gubio–Damasak road in January, which claimed the lives of eight soldiers, as well as attacks in Ngamdu and Benisheikh on April 9. Military officials reported that surveillance observed a convergence of motorcycles and armed vehicles at the Jilli site, an observation later corroborated by human intelligence indicating a gathering of terrorists and supply personnel.
"Upon final validation, the Air Component executed a series of precision strikes on the objective," Mr. Uba stated, adding that real-time aerial monitoring confirmed the high precision of the strikes. He further reported that the attack destroyed the logistics hub, killed numerous terrorists, and damaged vehicles and equipment. Escaping militants were observed fleeing the vicinity, he added.
Further intelligence gathered suggested that the targeted group was on the verge of receiving supplies intended for planned attacks on military positions in the Gubio area, implying that the operation may have thwarted impending assaults. Additionally, Mr. Uba reported the apprehension of a suspected logistics courier named "Turja Bulu" in Ngamdu on April 12. The suspect allegedly admitted to participating in the April 9 attack on a brigade in Benisheikh and was reportedly transporting supplies from Jilli to other terrorist factions in the Magumeri-Gubio region.
Mr. Uba reiterated the ongoing ban on motorcycles across the North-east operational theater, citing their continued use by insurgents for movement and logistics. He assured that the joint task force would maintain its offensive against terrorist networks and persist in efforts to dismantle their bases.
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