The Federal Government on Tuesday confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force carried out a precision airstrike targeting suspected terrorists in Borno State, in what it described as an intelligence-led operation under Operation HADIN KAI.
The strike, which took place on April 11 along the Jilli axis in Gubio Local Government Area, was aimed at disrupting the activities of insurgents operating in one of the most volatile parts of Nigeria’s North-East region. Officials said the mission was carefully planned and executed in coordination with ground troops.
According to a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the operation followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering on the area, which has long been identified as a stronghold for insurgent groups.
The government said dozens of people were feared dead, while several others were injured in the strike. However, it stressed that the operation was not indiscriminate but targeted at confirmed terrorist positions.
“This was a deliberate, intelligence-led operation, not an indiscriminate attack, conducted in one of the most active insurgent corridors in the North-East,” the statement said.
The Jilli axis, also known locally as “Kasu Daulaye” or “the terrorists’ market,” has for years been associated with the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. Security agencies say the area served as a meeting point and logistics hub for fighters, making it a high-risk zone with limited civilian presence.
The North-East has been at the centre of Nigeria’s fight against insurgency for over a decade. Since 2009, attacks by Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP, have led to thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. Despite military gains in recent years, the insurgents continue to launch attacks, especially in remote communities.
The Federal Government said intelligence supporting the strike was reinforced by the arrest of a teenage suspect believed to be linked to insurgent operations. The suspect, identified as Tijjani, aged 15, was apprehended in Ngamdu on April 12. He reportedly confessed to working as a courier, transporting money and supplies between Jilli and other locations.
Officials said the development highlights how insurgent groups continue to exploit vulnerable civilians, including minors, to sustain their operations.
Further supporting the government’s position, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, had earlier confirmed that markets in Jilli and nearby Gazabure were shut down years ago due to heavy insurgent presence. This, according to the government, validates intelligence reports that the area remained under the control of terrorist elements.
Security sources also linked the Jilli-Bindul axis to a series of recent attacks in the region. These include an improvised explosive device (IED) incident in January 2026, as well as coordinated assaults on communities in Ngamdu and Benisheikh on April 9. The attacks underscored the continued threat posed by insurgents and the need for sustained military action.
The government explained that the airstrike was carried out after a rigorous targeting process. The Nigerian Air Force, working closely with the Nigerian Army, confirmed the presence of terrorist elements before executing the operation.
“After a rigorous targeting process, the Nigerian Air Force, working with the Nigerian Army, confirmed the presence of terrorist elements and executed the strike to disrupt supply lines and degrade insurgent capacity,” the statement added.
Despite defending the operation, the Federal Government expressed sympathy for those affected by the strike. It extended condolences to families of victims and assured that every effort would be made to minimise civilian casualties in future operations.
“Every Nigerian life is sacred, and any loss of civilian life is deeply regretted,” the statement noted.
To ensure accountability, the government has ordered a full and independent investigation into the incident. The probe will review the intelligence and operational procedures that led to the strike, with a view to improving future missions.
Authorities also confirmed that they are working with the Borno and Yobe State governments, as well as emergency agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA), to provide relief materials and support to affected communities.
Residents in conflict-prone areas have been advised to strictly follow security directives. The government warned civilians to avoid restricted zones and cooperate with security agencies to reduce risks.
“Public cooperation is essential in conflict areas,” the statement emphasised.
The Federal Government also cautioned the media against spreading unverified information, noting that inaccurate reporting could worsen the situation.
“In times of crisis, unverified reporting can mislead the public, embolden terrorists, and undermine national efforts,” it said, urging journalists to prioritise accuracy and responsibility in their coverage of security issues.
As part of broader efforts to tackle terrorism, the government highlighted recent successes in the legal prosecution of suspects. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed that 386 convictions had been secured out of 508 terrorism-related cases handled at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The convictions involved members and collaborators of Boko Haram and ISWAP, with some offenders receiving life sentences. Observers from organisations such as Amnesty International, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the National Human Rights Commission reportedly monitored the trials.
The government said these outcomes demonstrate Nigeria’s continued commitment to combining military action with legal measures in the fight against insurgency.
Reaffirming its stance, the Federal Government said it remains determined to defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace to affected regions.
It added that tragic incidents should not be used to weaken national resolve or distract from the mission of the Armed Forces.
“The Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to defeating terrorism and banditry,” the statement concluded.