By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
From Video Posted by NAF, Terrorists Were Heading to Jilili Market to Restock Arms — Adekoya
Security consultant Onyekachi Adekoya has said that video evidence released by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) suggests that suspected terrorists were on their way to Jilili Market in Yobe State to restock arms before a military airstrike was carried out.
Adekoya made the assertion during an interview on Channels Television, where he analysed footage reportedly published by the NAF. According to him, the movements captured in the video indicate that the insurgents were using the market as a logistics hub for resupplying weapons and regrouping.
“If you look at the video that the NAF posted, it would suggest that the terrorists were going to the Jilili market to refresh, restock, and resupply arms, and then head to some other garrison towns to conduct further attacks,” he said.
The security analyst noted that such locations are often exploited by armed groups operating in northern Nigeria to sustain their activities, blending into civilian environments while maintaining supply chains.
Adekoya also highlighted the complexity of military operations in the region, stressing that security forces face significant challenges due to the vast terrain and the mobility of insurgent groups. He pointed out that in parts of the North-East and North-West, armed groups often move across communities and borders with relative ease, making intelligence gathering and precision strikes more difficult.
Defending the military’s action, Adekoya referenced existing government directives concerning areas identified as insurgent strongholds. He stated that certain markets and settlements had already been declared unsafe and shut down by authorities due to their alleged use by terrorists.
“Let’s call a spade a spade. The government of Borno has designated the area a terrorist enclave and has closed down those markets,” he added.
His comments come amid ongoing military operations aimed at dismantling insurgent networks and cutting off their supply routes across the region. The Nigerian military has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to targeting terrorist infrastructure while minimising civilian casualties.
The video cited by Adekoya has continued to generate public debate, with security experts and observers offering differing interpretations of the footage and the broader implications for counterinsurgency efforts in the country.
Authorities are yet to issue further clarification on the specific details surrounding the incident, but operations against insurgent groups remain ongoing as part of efforts to restore security in affected areas.
