The Federal Government has pledged immediate humanitarian assistance to families affected by the recent airstrike in Jilli, Borno State, while ordering a comprehensive and independent investigation into the incident.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, expressing condolences to victims and assuring that relief efforts are already underway.
According to the minister, the Federal Government is collaborating with the Borno and Yobe State governments, alongside emergency response agencies, to deliver urgent support to impacted communities.
Despite acknowledging reports of civilian casualties, the government maintained that the April 11 airstrike was a deliberate, intelligence-led military operation targeting insurgent elements in the region.
Idris explained that the Nigerian Air Force, operating under Operation HADIN KAI, carried out the strike after weeks of surveillance and credible intelligence confirming terrorist activity within the Jilli axis of Gubio Local Government Area.
He described the area—locally known as “Kasu Daulaye”—as a long-established insurgent enclave used by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters for logistics, taxation of civilians, and coordination of attacks.
“The operation was not indiscriminate,” the minister stressed, noting that the zone had long been designated high-risk, with restrictions on civilian movement.
The government further revealed that intelligence was recently reinforced by the arrest of a 15-year-old ISWAP courier in Ngamdu, who allegedly confessed to transporting funds and supplies between Jilli and other insurgent locations.
Authorities also cited confirmation from Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum that Jilli and nearby markets had been shut down for years due to sustained insurgent control.
Describing the Bindul-Jilli corridor as a critical route for terrorist operations, the government linked recent attacks in Ngamdu and Benisheikh to networks active in the area.
While defending the strike’s objective, the Federal Government expressed regret over the reported loss of civilian lives, emphasizing that “every Nigerian life is sacred” and promising accountability where necessary.
The ongoing investigation, Idris said, will examine intelligence gathering, targeting procedures, and operational execution, with the aim of strengthening safeguards against civilian harm in future missions.
Residents in conflict-prone areas were urged to comply strictly with security advisories and avoid restricted zones, as authorities stressed that public cooperation remains vital to counter-terrorism efforts.
The government also cautioned media organisations against unverified reporting, warning that misinformation could mislead the public and embolden terrorist groups.
Reaffirming its broader fight against terrorism, the Federal Government highlighted recent judicial efforts, noting that prosecutions led by the Attorney General’s office resulted in 386 convictions out of 508 الإرهاب-related cases at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The convictions, involving Boko Haram and ISWAP members and collaborators, included sentences of up to life imprisonment, with both local and international observers monitoring the trials.
Idris reiterated the government’s resolve to defeat terrorism and banditry, assuring Nigerians of continued precision in military operations alongside sustained humanitarian interventions.
“The government remains committed to greater accountability and sustained action until lasting peace is achieved,” he said.