Market closed 5 years ago – Borno’s Zulum speaks on Jilli air strike mishap

By Hamza Suleiman

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has categorically stated that he ordered closure of Jilli market where some civilians were alleged killed and injured in airstrikes targeted at terrorist five years ago

The revelation by Zulum followed report of the operation conducted by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, in the Jilli general area of Gubio Local Government Area on Saturday.

Jilli is a border community between the Gubio Local Government Area of Borno and the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe.

Zulum who said he has 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 warned residents against aiding, harbouring, or providing logistical support to Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

Zulum in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mr Dauda Iliya, 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.

“Let me state categorically that the Borno State Government closed Jilli and Gazabure markets five years ago.

“I am in close consultation with the Government of Yobe State and the military hierarchy on the matter,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Zulum said that the Borno Government had maintained close coordination with the military and other security agencies before resettling any community or reopening markets, particularly in areas affected by insurgency.

He reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding law-abiding citizens and sustaining collaborative efforts with security agencies to restore lasting peace and stability across the state.

The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that will aid ongoing military operations.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in a statement on Sunday by its the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said it has activated its Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to immediately proceed to the location on a fact-finding mission on the allegation that civilians were bombed in the strikes in the Jilli axis.

NAF maintained that it remained “firmly committed to professionalism, accountability, and transparency in the conduct of its missions.

The Air Force had in an earlier statement said the air strikes were aimed at terrorist elements responsible for recent attacks on security forces within the wider theatre.

“Coming amid intensified efforts to track and neutralise terrorist elements responsible for recent attacks on security forces within the wider theatre, the follow-on strikes were aimed at fleeing remnants and regrouping cells seeking to exploit the difficult terrain,” NAF said.

Some resident said a military fighter jet was tracking the movement of suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the area, who were reportedly said to have moved to the market to collect levies from residents before the incident occurred.