The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has defended the Nigerian military over the controversial airstrike on Jilli village market near the Borno–Yobe border, stating that individuals doing business with terrorists are considered legitimate military targets.
Olusegun made the remarks in a post on X on Monday while responding to a social media user who questioned whether images circulating online were consistent with a marketplace setting.
The broadcaster, Osasu Suave, had written: “For once, look at this image again. Does this look like a market to you?”
Reacting, Olusegun said: “Anyone who is doing business with terrorists are legitimate military targets for our nation’s armed forces and not civilians.”
His comment comes amid growing public controversy over the Nigerian Air Force strike carried out at Jilli Saturday market in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State under Operation HADIN KAI.
The military has maintained that the location served as a terrorist logistics hub used by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), insisting the operation was based on sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
According to military authorities, intelligence reports showed movement of motorcycles and gun trucks linked to suspected insurgents converging in the area prior to the strike.
However, local residents and emergency authorities have disputed the military’s account, insisting that civilians were among those affected. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency said the incident was an accidental strike, with victims including traders from Geidam Local Government Area.
Preliminary local reports placed the death toll at over 40 civilians, though official figures remain unconfirmed amid conflicting accounts.
The Defence Headquarters and Operation HADIN KAI spokesperson, Operation HADIN KAI, said the strike followed “rigorous targeting procedures” backed by intelligence and aerial surveillance, and that post-strike assessments indicated terrorists were neutralised alongside the destruction of logistics assets.
Military authorities also referenced earlier attacks on troops in the region, including incidents that reportedly led to the deaths of soldiers, as part of the justification for heightened operations in the area.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, acknowledged that the area has long been associated with insurgent activity but urged caution and stronger cooperation with security agencies as investigations continue.
The Nigerian Air Force has also opened an inquiry through its Civilian Harm Assessment and Investigation process to review the circumstances surrounding the strike.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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