By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has paid compensation to victims and families affected by the accidental air strike that occurred on Dec. 25, 2024 in Sokoto State.

The victims are residents of Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa villages of Silame Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Sunday in Abuja.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, represented by the Chief of Civil Military Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, expressed gratitude to the state government for the ensuring relationship between the NAF and the people.

He commended Gov. Ahmed Aliyu for inclusive development policies and security initiatives under the 9-Point Smart Agenda, particularly the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps.

The CAS noted that the Governor’s proactive and localised security measures have complemented federal efforts in curbing the activities of terrorists and bandits, contributing to improved safety across parts of the State and reinforcing the importance of strong civil military cooperation.

He explained that the said air strikes were conducted under Operation Fasan Yamma following intelligence reports of suspected armed terrorists transiting through the affected communities.

According to him, although multiple intelligence checks informed the mission, a petition received in April 2025 alleged civilian casualties.

“A thorough fact-finding investigation confirmed that 13 civilians were unintentionally killed and eight others sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The findings deeply saddened the Service and necessitated urgent steps to make amends,” he said.

Aneke emphasised that since assuming office on Oct. 24, Civilian Harm Mitigation had remained at the forefront of his Command Philosophy.

According to him, the NAF exists primarily to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, adding that no professional military deliberately harms the very people it is sworn to defend.

He explained that the compensation exercise was intended to commiserate with the victims, promote accountability and transparency, calm tensions, and bring closure, while enabling the service to draw critical lessons to further reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.

The CAS disclosed that the NAF had continued to institutionalise measures aimed at preventing and responding to civilian harm, including the development of the NAF Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (NAF CHMR-AP).

According to him, the framework is designed to strengthen operational planning, improve assessments and investigations, enhance continuous learning, and ensure effective response whenever civilian harm occurs.

He added that the plan’s scalability makes it applicable across both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, with the protection and restoration of the civilian environment treated as a critical operational consideration.

The air chief reaffirmed NAF’s resolve to apply purposeful and precise lethality in neutralising terrorists and other criminal elements.

“We want to use this medium to appeal to citizens to desist from mingling or cohabiting with terrorists and bandits within their enclaves as such associations significantly increase the risk of collateral damage during military operations.

“Public cooperation remains vital to safeguarding innocent lives as security forces intensify operations nationwide.

“The Nigerian Air Force, in concert with other security agencies, remains fully committed to ending terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping across Sokoto State, the wider North-West region and the nation at large,” he added.

In his response, the governor expressed appreciation to the NAF for its unwavering commitment to protecting and caring for citizens, as well as its resolute role in safeguarding the nation’s security and territorial integrity. (NAN)

•Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, speaking at an event to compensate victims and families affected by the 2024 accidental airstrike… Photo Credit: NAF

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