Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has confirmed he was fully briefed on the recent airstrike on Jilli Market, emphasizing that the facility had already been shut down by the state government five years ago.
He also cautioned residents against collaborating with Boko Haram insurgents, stressing that anyone found aiding or supplying them risks severe consequences.
The warning follows recent air operations conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on April 11, 2026, targeting the Jilli axis in Gubio Local Government Area.
Jilli, a border settlement linking Gubio LGA in Borno State with Geidam LGA in Yobe State, has been identified as a strategic location in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, Zulum described Jilli Market as a notorious hub allegedly used by insurgents and their logistics suppliers.
“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,” the governor said.
He added that he is in close consultation with the Yobe State Government and the military hierarchy over the development.
Zulum explained that the state government maintains close coordination with security agencies before resettling communities or reopening markets, particularly in insurgency-affected areas.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens while sustaining joint efforts with security agencies to restore lasting peace and stability across the state.
The governor also urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible intelligence to strengthen ongoing military operations.
