Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has defended the military following a recent airstrike in Jilli, stating that the market in the area had been closed for about five years.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor described Jilli as a location previously identified as a hub used by insurgents and their logistics suppliers.
Zulum said he had been briefed on the operation carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai in the border community between Borno and Yobe states.
“I have been properly briefed on the airstrike carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on Jilli market, a border town between Borno and Yobe states. Let me state categorically that the Borno State Government closed Jilli and Gazabure markets five years ago,” he said.
The governor added that he was in contact with the Yobe State Government and military authorities to address the situation.
He explained that the state government maintains strict coordination with security agencies before reopening markets or resettling communities, particularly in areas affected by insurgency.
Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting residents while working closely with security forces to restore stability across the state. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and support ongoing military operations by providing credible information to security agencies.
The airstrike, which reportedly hit a busy trading area on Saturday, was said to have caused multiple casualties and sparked panic among traders and residents in the area.
