From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, has warned that anyone supporting or trading with bandits or terrorist groups will be treated as insurgents.
He issued the warning during a security council meeting in Kaduna State while responding to the recent military airstrike on Jilli market, where over 100 civilians were reportedly killed and many others injured.
“A friend of a thief is a thief; I’ve said that several times,” Musa said. “Anybody trading with or providing support to them—if we find you with them, we will treat you like bandits or terrorists. People should understand that if they want to avoid harm, they must stay away from terrorists and not support them.”
According to the military, the operation was a precise strike targeting a suspected terrorist enclave, logistics hub, and collaborators in the Jilli area of Gubio LGA. The military said the location had been identified as a movement corridor and gathering point for fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province and their associates.
The Yobe State Government stated that the strike was part of a military effort against suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the area. However, Amnesty International condemned the operation, claiming that about 100 non-combatants were killed in the bombing.
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