Federal Government Defends Jilli Airstrike As Deliberate Intelligence Led Operation

Information Minister Mohammed Idris defends the Jilli axis strike as a deliberate intelligence-led mission against a long-standing Boko Haram logistics hub.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 3:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Strategic Defense Of The Jilli Axis Strike

The federal government has formally described the April 11 aerial bombardment in the Jilli axis as a deliberate, intelligence led operation rather than an indiscriminate attack. Information Minister Mohammed Idris stated that the Nigerian Air Force strike, conducted under Operation HADIN KAI, targeted a confirmed insurgent corridor in the North East. According to the Minister, the region had been designated a high risk zone with active security advisories in place to restrict civilian presence. This declaration serves as the administration’s primary defense against allegations that the strike was a tactical misfire.

Insurgent Control And The Terrorists’ Market

Intelligence gathered prior to the operation identified the Jilli axis, known locally as Kasu Daulaye or the terrorists’ market, as a long standing insurgent enclave. Minister Idris explained that the area was utilized by Boko Haram and ISWAP operatives to procure supplies, collect illegal levies, and finalize the coordination of attacks. This assessment was reportedly confirmed through sustained surveillance and reconnaissance, which established the site as a hub for terrorist logistics rather than a legitimate civilian marketplace.

Link To Regional Terrorist Networks

The government provided further context by linking the targeted area to a recent surge in regional violence. Intelligence reports indicated that the Bindul-Jilli axis was a major corridor for a network responsible for coordinated attacks in Ngamdu and Benisheikh earlier in April. The Minister also noted that troops had previously suffered casualties from improvised explosive devices along this specific route. This history of hostility informed the decision to launch the precision strike as a necessary measure to dismantle the local insurgent infrastructure.