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By Salihu Pirkusu, Maiduguri
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in collaboration with its air component have clarified that they have neutralized the terrorists’ logistics hub and their enclave in Jilli village, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
This is contrary to some reports that many civilian casualties were recorded.
In a press release signed by the Media Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI on Sunday, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba said: “The air component of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in a carefully planned, well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation, successfully conducted a precision airstrike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned Jilli village in the local government area of Gubio, in the state of Borno.
“The successful attack, carried out on April 11, 2026, followed sustained intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions on the Bindul-Jilli axis, an area long identified as a major corridor of the terrorist movement and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators.
“It will be recalled that in January 2026, troops moving from Gubio towards Damasak were subjected to a major improvised explosive device (IED) attack along the road in Bindul, resulting in the tragic loss of eight soldiers, while many others were injured in action. More recently, on 9 April, coordinated attacks were recorded in Ngamdu and Benisheik, supported by the same terrorist logistics network. As a result, the Theater has intensified surveillance from above and intelligence gathering throughout the area in response to persistent reports of terrorist movement and logistics activities.
“On 11 April 2026, numerous reports were received of ISWAP Gun Trucks (GT) and Motorcycles (MC) moving along the axis. As a result, ISR coverage over the area was immediately intensified. During the surveillance mission, a contingent of motorcycles was observed moving in the direction of Jilli, followed shortly by the movement of several other vehicles, all converging on the same location.
“These suspicious movements were subsequently confirmed by credible human intelligence sources, confirming that the converging elements were terrorists, their collaborators and logistics workers.
“It is imperative to state that, in line with established operational procedures, a rigorous and professional targeting process was undertaken. Target fidelity was confirmed through multiple credible sources of human intelligence, supported by persistent aerial surveillance. Following final validation, the air component performed a series of precision strikes on the target, while surveillance platforms maintained continuous monitoring for real-time battle damage assessment.
“Equally important to know, post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was hit with high precision, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave. Dozens of terrorists were neutralized in the attack, with their vehicles and technical assets destroyed, while surviving elements were observed fleeing in multiple directions.
“Intelligence further indicates that the neutralized elements were in the final stages of receiving logistics from couriers, for coordinated attacks on troop positions within the Gubio axis. This decisive action therefore significantly disrupted impending terrorist plans and reduced their operational capability within the Theater.
“Instructively, on 12 April 2026, a terrorist logistics courier identified as “Turja Bulu”, was arrested in Ngamdu city and, after preliminary investigation, confessed to having taken part in the attack at 29 Bde locality on 9 April 2026 in Benisheik and having been sent by ISWAP from Jilli, where most of his fellow terrorists were hibernating to supply food items to another group of terrorists currently hibernating around General Magumeri-Gubio Zone.
“This successful attack is yet another demonstration of the OPHK’s resolve and operational capability to sustain relentless pressure on terrorist elements, disrupt their logistical networks and deny them freedom of movement within the Theatre.
“The Theater Command also wishes to reiterate that the use of motorcycles remains strictly prohibited in the North East theater of operations, particularly in Borno and Yobe States, due to their well-established and continued use by terrorist elements for movement, logistics and attack operations. Any such movement into restricted areas is therefore treated with utmost seriousness in line with existing operational directives.
“Furthermore, the Joint Task Force (North East) OPHK assures the good people of the North East and all law abiding Nigerians, that the ongoing operations will continue with renewed intensity until all terrorist enclaves are dismantled and lasting peace and economic stability is restored in the North East region.” Uba explained.
