In a significant move toward transparency and civil-military reconciliation, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has officially compensated the families and victims of an accidental airstrike that occurred exactly one year ago in Sokoto State.
The incident, which took place on December 25, 2024, affected residents of Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa villages in the Silame Local Government Area. A statement released on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, detailed the formal conclusion of the compensation exercise.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, the Chief of Civil Military Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, met with state officials and survivors to provide closure. He explained that the mission was originally launched under Operation Fasan Yamma following intelligence regarding terrorists in the area, but subsequent reports necessitated an internal probe.
“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,” the CAS stated.
Air Marshal Aneke emphasized that since assuming office on October 24, civilian harm mitigation has remained at the forefront of his command philosophy. He maintained that 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.”
To prevent future tragedies, the Air Force has developed the NAF Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan. According to the CAS, this framework is designed to “strengthen operational planning, improve assessments and investigations, enhance continuous learning, and ensure effective response whenever civilian harm occurs.”
While seeking to bring peace to the grieving community, the NAF leader also issued a stern warning regarding the proximity of civilians to criminal hideouts.
“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,” he said. “Public cooperation remains vital to safeguarding innocent lives as security forces intensify operations nationwide.”
The Air Chief concluded by reaffirming that the Service, in concert with other 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.”
Responding to the gesture, Governor Ahmed Aliyu praised the NAF for its “unwavering commitment to protecting and caring for citizens,” noting that such accountability is essential for the nation’s territorial integrity and internal security.
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