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Jilli Airstrike: Defence Chief Says Killed Persons Were Terrorist Collaborators

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Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd)
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd)

Jilli Airstrike: Defence Chief Says Killed Persons Were Terrorist Collaborators

The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, has defended the controversial Jilli airstrike in Borno State, insisting that individuals killed in the operation were not innocent civilians but persons actively involved in supporting insurgent groups.

Musa made the clarification during an interview on Arise TV Live after a high-level security meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, where national security issues in the North-East were reviewed.

He said the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence reports that identified Jilli as a major logistics and supply hub for insurgents, stressing that the strike targeted elements linked to both Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.

“There was no innocent person there. Anybody in that location knew what they were doing. They were there for business with terrorists,” Musa said, defending the military airstrike in Jilli.

According to him, intelligence showed that the area had long functioned as an illegal trading point for terrorist logistics, where supplies such as food, fuel, and materials were exchanged to sustain insurgent operations against Nigerian security forces.

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He explained that the Jilli axis had already been classified as a high-risk zone due to repeated terrorist activity and was under surveillance before the operation was approved.

“We moved based on intelligence, we identified the location, and we hit the target. It was a deliberate operation,” he added.

Musa further stated that some individuals were drawn to the area by financial incentives, noting that goods sold there often fetch extremely high prices due to the risks involved.

“If you take a bag of rice there, you can sell it for as much as ₦150,000. People go there deliberately to make money, fully aware of who they are dealing with,” he said.

The Defence Chief maintained that under international laws of armed conflict and counterinsurgency rules of engagement, anyone knowingly supporting terrorist operations cannot be considered an innocent civilian.

“He who supports a terrorist is one of them,” he said, stressing that such support directly enables insurgent attacks against communities and security forces.

He, however, acknowledged the complexity of asymmetric warfare in Nigeria’s North-East, where insurgents often blend into civilian environments, making precision targeting essential.

The Defence Headquarters reiterated that the Operation Hadin Kai counterinsurgency campaign continues to focus on degrading terrorist infrastructure while minimising civilian harm, even as debates persist over the Jilli incident.

The military maintains that ongoing air and ground operations remain critical to restoring stability across affected parts of the North-East.

Jilli Airstrike: Defence Chief Says Killed Persons Were Terrorist Collaborators

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Ataoja Mourns Death of Baba Oba, Calls It Monumental Loss

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Prince Adeleke Oduola

Ataoja Mourns Death of Baba Oba, Calls It Monumental Loss

The Ataoja of Osogbo Land, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Laro-Oye II, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Baba Oba and Head of the Osogbo Elders Council, describing his passing as a monumental loss to the cultural and traditional fabric of the community.

In an official condolence message issued through the palace media unit, the monarch extended heartfelt sympathies to the immediate family of the deceased, friends, associates, members of the traditional institution, and the entire people of Osogbo.

Oba Laro-Oye II noted that the late Baba Oba lived a life defined by honour, wisdom, peace, and unwavering dedication to the unity and progress of Osogbo land. He described the deceased elder statesman as a towering figure in traditional governance whose influence extended beyond his immediate family and council duties.

According to the Ataoja, Baba Oba was not only a respected father figure to many but also a custodian of indigenous knowledge and a pillar of guidance whose counsel played a vital role in fostering harmony and stability within the Osogbo traditional system.

“He was a man of exceptional wisdom whose contributions to the growth, unity, and preservation of our cultural heritage will remain indelible in our hearts,” the monarch stated.

The Ataoja prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed, asking Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and to comfort his family, the traditional council, and the people of Osogbo during this difficult period.

He further urged sons and daughters of Osogbo, both at home and in the diaspora, to uphold the values of unity, peace, respect for tradition, and communal harmony which the late Baba Oba consistently embodied throughout his lifetime.

The palace described the loss as one that has created a significant vacuum within the Osogbo traditional leadership structure, adding that the legacy of the late elder statesman would continue to inspire future generations.

Signed,
Media Unit
Palace of Ataoja of Osogbo Land

 

Ataoja Mourns Death of Baba Oba, Calls It Monumental Loss

 

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“He Was My Father in Politics” — Osun SSG Igbalaye Mourns Late Prince Adeleke Òdùọlá

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Prince Adeleke Oduola

“He Was My Father in Politics” — Osun SSG Igbalaye Mourns Late Prince Adeleke Òdùọlá

 

Osogbo, Osun State — The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Bobagunwa Teslim Igbalaye, has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late elder statesman, royal prince, and political icon, Prince Adeleke Òdùọlá, who died on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the age of 93.

In a condolence message issued in Osogbo, Osogbo, Igbalaye described the deceased as “a father figure, a political institution, and one of the last true custodians of Osogbo’s rich political heritage.”

He said Prince Òdùọlá was more than a mentor to him, noting that their relationship spanned over two decades of political tutelage and personal guidance.

“Over twenty years ago, my father handed me over to Baba Adeleke Òdùọlá as a young man eager to learn the ropes of politics and public service. From that moment, I came under his fatherly tutelage… Baba was more than a mentor; he was a father, a teacher, and a moral compass,” Igbalaye said.

The SSG praised the late prince as a towering figure in Osogbo’s socio-political evolution and a vital link to the town’s historic political consciousness.

Prince Òdùọlá, a respected member of the Lájọmọ Ruling House, also served as Mogaji of the family, where he was widely regarded as a custodian of tradition, culture, and communal harmony.

He was also a prominent figure in the famed Òròkí Social Club of Osogbo, established in 1963, where he served as treasurer and contributed to shaping early political thought in the town.

Describing him as “a man of multiple frontiers,” Igbalaye highlighted his roles as a successful trader, devout Muslim, disciplined family man, and political strategist whose life inspired many across generations.

“Baba lived a life of purpose and impact. He believed strongly in education, moral discipline, diligence, compassion, and community service,” he added.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased in Aljanah Firdaus and urged the family to take solace in his enduring legacy.

Condolences were also extended to the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, the Lájọmọ Royal Family, members of the Òròkí Social Club, and the children and grandchildren of the deceased.

The statement was signed by Kehinde Adeoye, Special Assistant on Media and Digital Communication to the Secretary to the Osun State Government.

 

“He Was My Father in Politics” — Osun SSG Igbalaye Mourns Late Prince Adeleke Òdùọlá

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VIDEO: Catholic Priest, Tansian University Lecturer Allegedly Caught With Student in Classroom

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Tansian University Lecturer Allegedly Caught With Student in Classroom

VIDEO: Catholic Priest, Tansian University Lecturer Allegedly Caught With Student in Classroom

There was commotion at Tansian University on Tuesday following reports that a Catholic priest who lectures at the institution was allegedly caught in a compromising situation with a female student inside a classroom.

According to videos and eyewitness accounts circulating on social media, the incident reportedly occurred within one of the lecture halls at the university’s Oba campus in Anambra State.

The lecturer, said to be a Reverend Father attached to the institution, was allegedly discovered with the student after some individuals reportedly noticed suspicious activity around the classroom.

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Videos shared online showed a crowd gathering around the scene as students and other individuals reacted to the development. However, the authenticity of all circulating clips and claims could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

The university management has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, while details surrounding the identities of those involved remain unclear.

The development has triggered widespread reactions on social media, with many users expressing shock over the allegation, while others urged caution against spreading unverified information online.

Some commentators also warned against sharing explicit or private footage connected to the incident, especially as investigations or internal disciplinary processes may still be ongoing.

As of press time, there was no confirmation from the university authorities, the Catholic Church, or security agencies regarding possible disciplinary or legal action connected to the matter.

VIDEO: Catholic Priest, Tansian University Lecturer Allegedly Caught With Student in Classroom

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