Airstrike Fallout: Zulum Backs Military, Says Jilli Market Shut Since 2021’

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has thrown his weight behind the military following a controversial airstrike on Jilli village, insisting that the affected market had been officially closed for five years.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor described Jilli market, located in Gubio Local Government Area along the Borno–Yobe border, as a known hub allegedly exploited by insurgents and their logistics networks.

Zulum said he had been fully briefed on the operation carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, stressing that both Jilli and Gazabure markets were shut down by the state government as part of ongoing security measures.

“I have been properly briefed on the airstrike… Let me state categorically that the Borno State Government closed Jilli and Gazabure markets five years ago,” he said.

The governor added that his administration maintains close coordination with security agencies before reopening markets or resettling communities in conflict-affected areas.

He disclosed that consultations were ongoing with the Yobe State Government and military authorities to fully ascertain the circumstances surrounding the strike.

Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens while sustaining joint efforts with security forces to restore peace and stability across the state. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible intelligence to support ongoing military operations.

The airstrike, carried out on April 11, reportedly targeted террорист positions in the area. However, earlier reports indicated that no fewer than 30 civilians were feared killed after explosions struck what witnesses described as a busy weekly market, triggering panic among traders and residents.

The incident has since sparked concerns over civilian safety amid ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.