A report circulating online alleges that Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, stated that victims of the Jilli airstrike were “not innocent.”
Context:
The claim surfaced amid public concern over a military airstrike in Jilli, where reports suggested possible civilian casualties. In subsequent remarks, the Defence Chief defended the operation, describing it as intelligence-led and targeting individuals allegedly linked to insurgent logistics networks. His comments sparked debate over the status of those killed, particularly in conflict zones where distinguishing between civilians and combatants is often challenging.
Verification:
A review of credible media reports and official statements by the CDD War Room indicates that Christopher Musa did state that individuals present at the location were believed not to be innocent civilians, but rather persons allegedly involved in supporting insurgent activities. He further described the area as a logistics hub for terrorist groups and maintained that the strike was based on actionable intelligence.
However, other reputable international coverage, including reports by The Washington Post, presents a more nuanced account, suggesting that civilians may also have been among those affected. Some reports indicate that the location functioned not only as a suspected insurgent hub but also as a market and civilian settlement.
These differing accounts highlight the complexity of the incident and the difficulty in definitively classifying all victims, particularly in insurgency-affected regions.
Verdict: Misleading
While it is accurate that Christopher Musa made remarks suggesting that those targeted were not innocent civilians, the claim is misleading when presented without context. His statement was made within the framework of an intelligence-driven military operation and does not conclusively establish the status of all victims. Available evidence indicates that the situation remains contested, with credible reports pointing to the possibility of civilian casualties.
This fact-check was produced in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) as part of its Media Fellowship in Borno State.
