Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.), CFR, has defended the recent Nigerian Air Force airstrike on Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border, describing it as a “necessary military action” against a long-established terrorist logistics hub.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Buratai expressed concern over reports of civilian casualties, noting that over fifty persons were reportedly killed and several others injured in the operation. He described the loss of innocent lives as “deeply unfortunate and painful,” but maintained that the armed forces acted on credible intelligence.
According to him, intelligence reports indicated that Boko Haram and ISWAP elements had been using the weekly market to impose illegal levies, procure supplies, and coordinate attacks.
He further argued that Jilli Market had long been associated with insurgent activity, recalling that Nigerian troops had previously carried out operations in the area, including during earlier military campaigns aimed at dislodging terrorist elements.
Buratai maintained that while civilian harm was regrettable, the responsibility lay with insurgents who allegedly operate within civilian spaces.
“No military wishes to harm civilians,” he said, adding that continued use of such locations by armed groups leaves security forces with difficult operational choices.
He urged residents in surrounding communities including Geidam, Gubio, Damasak, and Ngamdu to avoid patronising markets or routes allegedly linked to insurgent activity, stressing the importance of civilian cooperation with security agencies.
Buratai commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and intelligence community for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation, insisting that sustained military pressure and public cooperation were key to defeating insurgency in the region.
He concluded with a call for unity in the fight against terrorism, while expressing sympathy for victims of the strike and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
