Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has ordered an independent investigation into the Nigerian Air Force airstrike that struck the Jilli market area in the Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, an incident that has sparked widespread concern over civilian casualties and renewed scrutiny of military operations in Nigeria’s northeast.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday, saying the government is committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the operation, including the intelligence used, targeting decisions, and execution of the strike.
The airstrike, which reportedly occurred on Sunday, hit an area situated along the volatile corridor between Gubio and Geidam, spanning parts of Borno and Yobe States. The region has long been affected by insurgent activity linked to groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have maintained a presence in remote settlements and forested routes used for movement and logistics.
Initial reports from humanitarian and rights organisations indicated that civilians were among those killed in the strike. Amnesty International claimed that more than 100 people may have died, although this figure has not been independently verified by government or military authorities. The Nigerian Air Force has maintained that the operation targeted suspected insurgents and was based on intelligence gathered over time.
According to the minister, the Jilli axis—locally referred to as “Kasu Daulaye”—has been identified by security agencies as a known enclave used by armed groups for coordination, supply movement, and operational planning. He added that intelligence assessments and surveillance activities suggested sustained terrorist presence in the area prior to the strike.
The government also cited broader security intelligence, including the reported arrest of a 15-year-old alleged ISWAP courier in nearby Ngamdu, who was said to have admitted to transporting supplies between locations linked to insurgent activity. Officials argue that such findings highlight the continued exploitation of civilians, including minors, by armed groups operating in the region.
The minister further referenced comments attributed to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who has previously acknowledged that some communities in the area were, at various points, under insurgent influence or inaccessible due to security threats. Authorities say this context underscores the complexity of distinguishing between civilian and militant presence in certain operational zones.
Despite these claims, the airstrike has raised urgent questions about civilian protection during counter-insurgency operations. Humanitarian organisations and local sources have expressed concern that market activity may have been ongoing at the time of the strike, contributing to the reported high number of civilian casualties.
The Federal Government has stressed that the independent probe will review all aspects of the operation, including intelligence validation, target identification, and execution protocols. Officials said the goal is to determine whether operational procedures were followed correctly and to identify any gaps that may have contributed to unintended loss of civilian life.
The Nigerian military, which has intensified air and ground operations in the northeast in recent months, has repeatedly maintained that its actions are guided by intelligence-led strategies aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities. However, incidents involving civilian harm have continued to generate public concern and calls for stricter safeguards.
The government also confirmed that it is working with state authorities in Borno and Yobe, alongside emergency response agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency, to provide humanitarian assistance to families affected by the incident. Relief efforts are expected to include medical support, displacement assistance, and assessments of damage in the affected communities.
The minister also pointed to broader counter-terrorism progress, noting that hundreds of terrorism-related convictions have been secured in recent years, reflecting ongoing judicial efforts to address insurgency-related crimes. He said these developments demonstrate that Nigeria’s security strategy continues to combine military pressure with legal accountability.
At the same time, authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation and unverified reports, warning that misinformation could complicate security operations and potentially be exploited by insurgent groups for propaganda purposes.
As investigations proceed, attention is expected to focus on how intelligence is gathered and interpreted in active conflict zones, particularly in regions where insurgent groups and civilian populations often coexist in close proximity. The outcome of the probe is likely to influence future operational procedures and rules of engagement for air operations in the northeast.
For now, the incident adds to ongoing debates over the balance between aggressive counter-terrorism tactics and civilian protection in Nigeria’s long-running conflict with insurgent groups in the Lake Chad Basin region.
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