Jilli Airstrike: There Are No Innocent Victims — Musa

Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, has defended the airstrike carried out in Jilli, Borno State, stating that those killed were not civilians but individuals involved in supporting insurgent activities.

He made the clarification during an interview on Arise TV following a security meeting led by President Bola Tinubu.

Musa said the operation was executed based on intelligence indicating that the location served as a logistics and supply point for terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

According to him, the military confirmed the target before carrying out the strike. He maintained that the action was deliberate and not the result of faulty intelligence.

“There was no innocent person there. Anybody in that location knew what they were doing,” he said, adding that the site functioned as a meeting point between insurgents and their suppliers.

He explained that the area had long been identified as restricted due to repeated use by insurgents and collaborators, describing it as a hub for the movement of food, fuel, and other materials used to sustain militant operations.

Musa also said financial incentives played a role in the activity, claiming that goods transported into such locations were sold at significantly inflated prices due to the risks involved.

He argued that individuals who knowingly provide supplies or assistance to armed groups cannot be separated from the conflict itself.

At the same time, he distinguished between willing collaborators and those who may be forced into contact with insurgents, noting that the military considers such differences in its operations.

Reports from the aftermath of the strike suggested possible civilian casualties, though the Defence Minister questioned the accuracy of those figures, saying they were not supported by verified evidence.

He added that local security assessments indicate Jilli is not a standard residential community, but a location previously cleared due to insurgent activity.

Musa said continued logistical support from civilians remains a key factor sustaining insurgent operations in the region, warning that such networks prolong the conflict.

“If you make yourself available in that environment, you become part of the threat landscape,” he said.