Zulum defends military airstrike, says market closed for five years

By Damilare Adeleye

Borno State Governor. Babagana Zulum has addressed the recent military action in the region, revealing that the Jilli market in the Gubio Local Government Area was officially closed five years ago.

This clarification follows reports that an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force struck the weekly market at Jilli village, located along the border of Borno and Yobe states, on Saturday evening.

The incident reportedly caused significant panic among residents as explosions rocked the trading center, leading to fears of civilian casualties.

Reacting through a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum described the Jilli market as a notorious hub allegedly used by insurgents and their logistics suppliers.

The Governor stated that he had been properly briefed on the strike conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai and emphasized that both the Jilli and Gazabure markets were shuttered by the state government half a decade ago to curb illegal activity.

Governor Zulum further explained that he remains in close consultation with the Yobe State Government and the military hierarchy regarding the details of the mission.

He noted that the Borno State Government maintains strict coordination with security agencies before attempting to resettle any community or reopen markets in areas previously affected by the insurgency.

Reiterating his administration’s commitment to peace, the Governor urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces by providing credible information.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed the operation through its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

The NAF maintained that the strike successfully neutralized scores of insurgents and destroyed terrorist hideouts as part of a broader effort to sustain pressure on criminal elements in the North-East.