Jilli Strike: Anyone Doing Business With Terrorists Is a Target — Presidency Aide

The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has defended the Nigerian military following public outrage over the recent airstrike on Jilli village market near the Borno–Yobe border, insisting that individuals engaging in transactions with terrorists may be treated as legitimate military targets.

Olusegun made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday while responding to comments questioning whether images circulating online actually showed a functioning market. He wrote: “Anyone who is doing business with terrorists are legitimate military targets for our nation’s armed forces and not civilians.”

The statement comes amid growing controversy surrounding the air operation conducted under Operation Hadin Kai, led by the Nigerian Air Force, which targeted Jilli village in Gubio in Borno State on Saturday.

According to military authorities, the strike was carried out based on intelligence indicating that the location served as a terrorist logistics hub linked to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The Defence Headquarters said surveillance data showed movement of motorcycles and armed vehicles believed to be converging for operational purposes.

Military spokespersons under Operation Hadin Kai maintained that the strike followed “rigorous targeting procedures” and was informed by sustained intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the area. They added that preliminary post-strike assessments suggested that several insurgents were neutralised and logistics assets destroyed.

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However, the operation has sparked conflicting accounts from local authorities and emergency responders. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that civilians were among those affected, describing the incident as an accidental strike with unintended casualties.

Preliminary local reports suggested that more than 40 people may have been killed, though official figures remain unverified due to ongoing assessments and conflicting field data.

The Defence Headquarters has defended the operation, stating that Jilli and surrounding areas had long been identified as insurgent logistics corridors frequently used for movement, supply, and regrouping by armed groups. Officials also referenced past attacks on Nigerian troops in the region, including a deadly incident earlier in 2026 that reportedly killed soldiers during insurgent assaults.

The spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Sani Uba, said the strike was conducted after careful intelligence validation and aerial monitoring, insisting that the target area had been under surveillance due to repeated militant activity.

Despite the military’s justification, the Babagana Zulum has previously acknowledged that Jilli and surrounding locations are areas with known insurgent activity but has urged caution in military operations to avoid civilian harm and ensure proper identification of targets.

The controversy has intensified debate over civilian protection during counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, with human rights observers and local stakeholders calling for clearer rules of engagement and improved intelligence accuracy to reduce the risk of civilian casualties.

As of the time of filing this report, the military maintains that the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure, while emergency agencies continue to assess the humanitarian impact of the strike.

Jilli Strike: Anyone Doing Business With Terrorists Is a Target — Presidency Aide

Wike Denies ADC Was Blocked From Using Eagle Square for Convention

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was denied access to Eagle Square for its national convention in Abuja, insisting that no formal application was properly submitted to the relevant authorities.

Wike made the clarification while speaking to journalists during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory, where he addressed growing controversy surrounding the opposition party’s planned convention.

The allegation was first raised by former PDP spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, who claimed that less than 24 hours before the event, the ADC had not been allocated a venue despite repeated requests to the FCT administration.

According to Ologbondiyan, the party had written to the office of the FCT Minister seeking approval to use Eagle Square. Although the letter was acknowledged, he alleged that no official approval was granted. He also claimed the party’s request to use the Moshood Abiola National Stadium velodrome was declined, while several private event centres in Abuja reportedly refused to host the convention over fears of political backlash.

The ADC reportedly proceeded to secure an alternative venue, the Rainbow Event Centre in Abuja, after encountering what it described as logistical and administrative hurdles.

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However, Wike rejected claims of political interference, stating that the proper procedure for booking Eagle Square was not followed. He explained that the facility is managed through the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) and requires formal application, payment, and security clearance before approval.

“Who denied them? I am not aware of any such development. If it is ADC, such claims are their usual attempt to gain public sympathy,” Wike said.

He further insisted that no official request had been received by the responsible agency.

“As we speak, no formal application has been submitted to the Abuja Investments Company Limited. When APC used Eagle Square and when PDP used the velodrome, they followed due process,” he added.

Wike also clarified that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium velodrome falls under the jurisdiction of the National Sports Commission, not the FCT Administration, distancing his office from decisions regarding its allocation.

A letter dated April 7, reportedly signed by ADC official Chinedu Idigo, had earlier shown that the party formally requested Eagle Square for what it described as a non-elective national convention. The party stated that the venue was chosen for its capacity, central location, and security suitability, and also assured authorities it would comply with all conditions, including payment and post-event maintenance.

Despite this, the request was reportedly not approved, prompting criticism from party stakeholders who alleged administrative delays and lack of transparency.

Wike, however, maintained that the FCT Administration does not deny any political party access to public facilities if due process is followed, adding that allegations of bias are politically motivated.

The minister also used the inspection visit to highlight ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, expressing satisfaction with progress made on key road networks. He disclosed that several projects are expected to be completed by mid-May, while streetlight installations will be concluded shortly after.

At Gaduwa, he said measures had been taken to protect road corridors from encroachment, while at Wassa, plans were underway to relocate informal traders, including Apo Mechanic Village operators, to a newly developed facility with improved infrastructure.

Wike also addressed recent windstorm damage at the Kugbo Bus Terminal, describing it as a natural event that affected only roofing sheets, with repairs already ongoing. He stressed that the structure remains intact and no casualties were recorded.

The minister attributed ongoing development progress in the FCT to stronger contractor compliance and improved funding mechanisms, which he said have ensured steady delivery of projects across Abuja.

Wike Denies ADC Was Blocked From Using Eagle Square for Convention

Man Allegedly Kills Two Sisters, Five-Year-Old Daughter in Ondo

A shocking case of family violence in Ondo State has left residents of Okitipupa reeling after a 28-year-old man, Femi Agbeye, allegedly killed two of his female siblings and his five-year-old daughter.

The disturbing incident occurred on April 8 at the Agbeye family residence located on Doctor’s Road in the Government Reserved Area of Okitipupa. According to reports, the suspect allegedly forced his way into the apartment, locked himself inside, and carried out the deadly attack.

Eyewitness accounts and family sources revealed that the victims were later found lifeless in a room within the house, prompting immediate alarm and police intervention.

Speaking on the tragedy, the suspect’s father, Ade Agbeye, disclosed that his son had a troubling history of substance abuse and violent threats, which had raised serious concerns within the family prior to the incident.

“He had been involved in the use of illicit substances and had been threatening to kill his mother and me for some time,” he said.

He further explained that the situation escalated fatally on the day of the attack.

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“When we entered the house, we saw the bodies of the children on the floor in their mother’s room. I immediately went to the police to inform them,” he added.

Ade also alleged that the suspect had previously been arrested over related issues but was released despite his objections, a development he believes contributed to the tragic outcome.

Residents in the area reportedly observed the suspect acting suspiciously and forcing his way into the compound shortly before the incident, raising fresh concerns about early warning signs and community response to potential threats.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Jimoh Abayomi, stated that a full investigation is underway.

“The command assures residents that due diligence will be carried out. There is no need for panic, and we urge the public to remain calm,” he said.

He further assured that the police are committed to ensuring justice is served, adding that all aspects of the case, including the suspect’s background and mental condition, are being thoroughly examined.

The suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue into the Okitipupa killings. Meanwhile, the tragic incident has sparked renewed calls for stronger action against drug abuse in Nigeria, as well as improved attention to mental health and early intervention in cases involving violent behaviour.

Man Allegedly Kills Two Sisters, Five-Year-Old Daughter in Ondo