The Presidency has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his comments on the recent military airstrike in Borno State, describing his remarks as misleading and politically motivated.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the operation by the Nigerian Air Force was a targeted, intelligence-led strike on insurgent enclaves.

According to him, the Jilli axis, often referred to as a market, had evolved into a logistics hub for terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, and no longer functioned as a legitimate civilian marketplace.

Dare accused Atiku of misrepresenting the operation as an attack on civilians, warning that such claims could undermine public confidence and the morale of security forces.

He described Atiku’s stance as contradictory, noting that while the former vice president often criticises the government over insecurity, he condemns decisive military actions when they occur.

However, Atiku had earlier condemned the strike, calling it a “devastating failure” and expressing concern over reports that civilians were affected.

He warned against the repeated loss of innocent lives during military operations, questioning how long citizens would remain unsafe both from insurgents and from security interventions.

The airstrike, conducted under Operation HADIN KAI, has generated controversy, with conflicting accounts regarding casualties.

While the military maintained that the target was a verified terrorist hub, local authorities confirmed that civilians were among those affected, with preliminary reports suggesting over 40 deaths, though the exact number remains unverified.

The military, however, insisted that the strike followed rigorous intelligence and surveillance, resulting in the neutralisation of several insurgents and the destruction of their logistics network.