The Nigerian Air Force has carried out follow-up airstrikes on suspected terrorist locations in the Jilli axis of Borno State as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
PUNCH Online had reported that no fewer than 30 people are feared killed after a military airstrike struck a weekly market at Jilli village, located along the border between Borno State and Yobe State, on Saturday evening.
The incident, which occurred at the popular Jilli Market between Gubio and Geidam areas of Yobe State, reportedly left traders and residents in panic as explosions rocked the busy trading centre.
The strikes, executed on April 11, 2026, were conducted by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in coordination with the Nigerian Army, following an earlier operation that targeted and destroyed terrorist positions in the area.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the latest mission focused on fleeing insurgents and regrouping elements attempting to exploit the difficult terrain after the initial assault.
Ejodame said the operation was based on credible intelligence obtained through collaboration with relevant stakeholders and verified by the appropriate operational command.
The statement partly read, “In a sustained demonstration of the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to counter-terrorism and the protection of innocent lives, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in ongoing operations on 11 April 2026 successfully executed precision follow-up mop-up air strikes on identified terrorist locations within the Jilli axis of Borno State. The mission was conducted as part of a coordinated air-ground integration operation with the Nigerian Army, following an earlier successful engagement that effectively decimated terrorist positions in the area.
“Coming amid intensified efforts to track and neutralise terrorist elements responsible for recent attacks on security forces within the wider theatre, the follow-on strikes were aimed at fleeing remnants and regrouping cells seeking to exploit the difficult terrain. Acting on credible intelligence received through close coordination with relevant stakeholders and validated by the appropriate operational command, the operation further consolidated gains already achieved by friendly forces.”
He noted that the follow-up strikes consolidated earlier gains by friendly forces and demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint operations in restricting terrorist movement and preventing further attacks on both military formations and civilian communities.
The NAF spokesman added that sustained mop-up operations and coordinated air-ground efforts are part of ongoing measures to enhance security, protect lives and property, and stabilise vulnerable areas across Borno and the wider North-East.
He reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining persistent surveillance, precision strikes, and rapid response capabilities in support of national counter-terrorism efforts.
The latest airstrikes are part of intensified counter-terrorism operations by the Nigerian Air Force under Operation HADIN KAI, aimed at eliminating remnants of insurgent groups in the North-East.
Borno State has remained a major hotspot of insurgency, with recent attacks on security forces prompting sustained joint air and ground offensives.
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