‘None Were Innocent’: Defence Minister Defends Jilli Airstrike as Troops Recover IED, N2m Ransom in Enugu
Jilli Market – “Nobody Was Innocent”
Abuja, Nigeria – Defence Minister General Christopher Musa has refused to apologize for the airstrike that killed over 200 civilians at Jilli Market, Borno State. His explosive claim: “None of them were innocent.”
Speaking on Arise News, Musa revealed the market had long been banned as an insurgent logistics hub where traders supplied fertilizer for IEDs, food, and fuel to Boko Haram.
General Christopher Musa. photo credit General CG Musa
Why civilians risked it:
A bag of rice sold for ₦150,000 in the restricted zone. Fuel traders made fortunes. Musa’s message: warnings were ignored, and profits came with consequences.
“What are you doing there? Who are you doing business with? Those are the answers they should tell,” he insisted. In a separate crackdown under Operation UDO KA, Nigerian Army troops of the 82 Division recorded major successes:
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Ajali Forest, Ezeagu LGA: Troops discovered and safely recovered an anti-tank IED after three failed detonation attempts. Bulldozers and chainsaws were deployed to dismantle IPOB/ESN hideouts.
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Adani, Uzo-Uwani LGA: Acting on an electronic ransom track, troops arrested a suspect’s brother and recovered a pump-action rifle plus N2 million in cash believed to be kidnapping proceeds.
No casualties were reported in either operation.
Bottom Line: From Borno to Enugu, Nigeria’s military is sending a clear signal—collaborators and criminals will face full force.
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