The Nigerian military has defended an air strike on Jilli village, near the Borno–Yobe border, saying the target was a terrorist logistics hub. The operation—carried out under Operation HADIN KAI—has nevertheless drawn strong backlash as reports circulate about civilian casualties, including traders who were reportedly present at the market.

According to local and media accounts, the death toll was put at more than 40 civilians by some sources. Other reports suggested the number could be higher, with uncertainty and conflicting figures adding to public anger. The military, however, insisted it struck a legitimate target, describing Jilli as a known convergence point used by fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Military officials said the strike was intelligence-driven. They said sustained surveillance and reconnaissance were used to track suspected terrorists, including vehicles and motorcycles, moving toward the Jilli area. The military also pointed to the area’s history as a major movement corridor for insurgents. In their account, after final validation, precision air strikes were carried out, and post-strike assessment allegedly confirmed the destruction of the terrorist logistics enclave, with militants neutralised and others reportedly fleeing.

The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said civilians were affected in what it described as an accidental air strike at the Jilli Saturday Market in Gubio Local Government Area. SEMA also said it had activated emergency response mechanisms, deployed assessment teams, and worked with relevant security and health authorities to support victims. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum acknowledged the operation and reiterated the government’s coordination with military and security agencies, recalling that the Jilli market had previously been closed for years due to insurgent activity.

Not everyone accepts the military’s explanation. Human rights groups and political figures condemned the strike and demanded investigations. Amnesty International, for example, described the operation as reckless and called for an immediate, impartial inquiry. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also criticised the incident, saying innocent Nigerians were again treated as collateral damage.

In response to the controversy, the Nigerian Air Force said it had initiated a probe into allegations of civilian casualties. Some security analysts and commentators also expressed concern about accountability and whether air strikes were carried out with the level of precision expected in such operations.

Meanwhile, support for the military position also came from former senior officials. A retired Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), argued that Jilli was a known terrorist hub and said the operation followed credible intelligence. He acknowledged that any loss of innocent life is tragic, but maintained that insurgents allegedly used the market to carry out logistics and attacks, and that civilians who continue trading with such areas put themselves at risk.

The incident has reignited broader concerns about civilian safety along the Borno–Yobe border. It also comes after another deadly air strike earlier in the year that hit crowded public areas in Borno State, leading to further calls for stronger safeguards and clearer responsibility when civilians are harmed.