13 Apr 2026

Borno–Yobe Border Airstrike: A Wake-Up Call for Nigeria’s Defence Strategy I read the reports of the accidental airstrike at Jilli Market in the Borno–Yobe border area, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of several innocent Nigerians. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of the affected states in this painful tragedy. May God grant eternal rest to the departed and comfort to all who are grieving. I have refrained from making any hasty conclusions on the matter, as the details remain unclear, including what exactly transpired and the confirmed casualty figures. That said, such tragic incidents are often associated with a combination of factors, including operational constraints, coordination challenges, and limitations in equipment and ageing platforms. We have witnessed similar occurrences in Nigeria in the past, and this underscores the urgent need to invest in modern fighter jets, upgrade existing platforms, and ensure continuous, rigorous training and retraining of military personnel. In the midst of the challenges facing the country, we must continue to stand in solidarity with our military personnel who risk their lives daily to keep Nigeria safe, while also insisting that they are properly equipped and fully supported to discharge their duties effectively and prevent avoidable tragedies of this nature. Overall, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must rise fully to the immense challenge of national security. At this critical time, decisive leadership, strengthened coordination of security architecture, and sustained investment in modern defence capacity are required to address the worsening insecurity and prevent further loss of innocent lives. -PO