Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, has defended the controversial airstrike on Jilli in Borno State, insisting that those killed were not innocent civilians but individuals aiding insurgents.
Speaking after a high-level security meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, Musa said the operation was based on credible intelligence and targeted a known logistics hub used by terrorist groups. According to him, the location had long been identified as a supply point where food, fuel and other materials were provided to insurgents.
“There was no innocent person there. Anybody in that location knew what they were doing,” he said, dismissing claims of civilian casualties.
The strike has generated widespread concern, with reports suggesting that dozens may have been killed. However, Musa questioned the credibility of such figures, noting a lack of verifiable evidence. He maintained that the military carried out a deliberate and well-planned operation, guided by verified intelligence.
He explained that Jilli was not a conventional civilian settlement but a restricted zone where individuals knowingly engaged with terrorist groups for profit. Musa highlighted the economic incentives driving such activities, stating that traders could sell goods like rice at highly inflated prices in insurgent-controlled areas.
“Those who willingly go there to do business with terrorists are not innocent,” he said, arguing that anyone providing logistics or financial support to insurgents becomes part of the conflict.
While acknowledging the complexity of distinguishing civilians from combatants in asymmetric warfare, Musa stressed that the military differentiates between those coerced into cooperation and those who voluntarily assist insurgents. He noted that forced participants are considered victims, unlike those who knowingly collaborate.
The Defence Chief also emphasised that civilian cooperation with insurgents has prolonged the conflict in Nigeria’s North-East. He argued that cutting off supply networks would significantly weaken terrorist groups and accelerate the end of the insurgency.
Musa warned that individuals who choose to operate in such environments risk being caught in military operations, adding that anyone present in known insurgent zones becomes part of the threat landscape.
Overall, he maintained that the Jilli strike was justified and necessary as part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and restore security in the region.
