Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, has defended the Nigerian military following the airstrike on Jilli village market near the Borno and Yobe border, an operation that has now been linked to the deaths of over two hundred civilians.
The strike, which was part of ongoing efforts to track and eliminate terrorist groups in the region, has drawn heavy criticism as reports continue to emerge about the scale of civilian casualties.
Reacting to the situation, Olusegun stated that anyone engaged in business with terrorist groups should be seen as a legitimate military target. His position reflects the government’s firm stance on cutting off all forms of support to insurgents, including trade and logistics.
The operation was carried out as part of intensified military searches for terrorist fighters believed to be operating around the area. Authorities have long described the region as a key route and meeting point for insurgent activities.
Despite this, the high number of reported civilian deaths has raised serious concerns about how targets are identified and the risks faced by ordinary people living in conflict zones.
The statement from the presidency is likely to fuel further debate, as many question whether those caught in such strikes can always be clearly separated from armed groups, especially in areas where daily survival may involve interacting with multiple actors.
As investigations and rescue efforts continue, the incident stands as one of the most controversial moments in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the region.
