Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has defended the controversial airstrike on Jilli Market, insisting that the location had long been identified as a hub for insurgent activities and was officially shut down years ago.
Speaking through his media aide, the governor stated that the market in Gubio Local Government Area was not supposed to be operational. According to him, both Jilli and nearby Gazabure markets were closed about five years ago as part of security efforts to weaken the operational networks of Boko Haram and other armed groups.
Zulum explained that the decision to shut down the market was strategic aimed at cutting off supply chains, logistics, and meeting points allegedly used by insurgents and their collaborators. In his view, any gathering at such a location raises serious security concerns, especially in an area long affected by insurgency.
He also revealed that the state government works closely with the military before reopening any market or allowing displaced communities to return. This coordination, he said, is necessary to avoid exposing civilians to danger in volatile regions.
The governor added that he is in active consultation with authorities in Yobe State as well as military leadership to fully understand what happened and determine the next steps. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace while protecting civilians who abide by the law.
This comes amid earlier reports that the Nigerian Air Force has launched an investigation into claims that dozens of civilians were killed when a military jet struck the crowded market during trading hours.
Eyewitnesses and local officials had alleged that at least 56 people were killed, with several others injured, after the strike reportedly missed its intended targets. The market, despite the claimed closure, was said to still attract traders from surrounding communities across Borno and Yobe.
As the situation unfolds, the key issue now is the contradiction between official claims that the market was closed and reports that it was still actively in use. That gap raises serious questions—not just about the strike itself, but about how civilians continue to operate in areas considered unsafe by authorities.