Table of Contents
- Compensation for Victims
- Official Statement
- Security Initiatives and Policies
- Details of the Incident
- Civilian Harm Mitigation Efforts
- Call for Public Cooperation
The Nigerian Air Force has provided compensation to the victims and families impacted by the accidental airstrike that took place on December 25, 2024, in Sokoto State.
The beneficiaries of this compensation are residents of Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa villages located in the Silame Local Government Area of the state.
A statement released by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, indicated that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, expressed appreciation to the state government for nurturing a strong relationship between the NAF and the local communities.
Represented by the Chief of Civil Military Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Chief of the Air Staff commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his inclusive development strategies and security initiatives under the 9-Point Smart Agenda, particularly for establishing the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps.
Anker praised the governor’s proactive and localized security measures, believing that his efforts have bolstered federal initiatives aimed at combating the activities of terrorists and bandits, contributing to enhanced safety across various regions of the state, and underscoring the significance of robust civil-military cooperation.
The Chief of the Air Staff stated, “The airstrike was conducted under Operation Fasan Yamma following intelligence reports regarding suspected armed terrorists passing through the affected communities.”
Despite multiple intelligence checks informing the mission, he noted that a petition received in April 2025 alleged civilian casualties, and a thorough fact-finding investigation confirmed that 13 civilians were unintentionally killed, while eight others suffered varying degrees of injuries.
He expressed that these findings deeply saddened the Service and necessitated immediate actions to make reparations.
Aneke emphasized that since taking office on October 24, civilian harm mitigation has remained a priority in his command philosophy, noting that the NAF exists primarily to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, as no professional military intentionally harms the very citizens it is sworn to defend.
The compensation initiative, according to Anker, aimed to express sympathy for the victims, promote accountability and transparency, alleviate tensions, and provide closure, while enabling the service to glean essential lessons to further minimize the chances of similar incidents in the future.
The CAS stated that the NAF has continued to implement measures aimed at preventing and addressing civilian harm, as well as developing the NAF Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan.
He emphasized that this framework is designed to enhance operational planning, improve assessments and investigations, foster continuous learning, and ensure effective responses whenever civilian harm occurs, adding that the plan's scalability makes it applicable across both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, treating the protection and restoration of the civilian environment as a critical operational consideration.
He reiterated the NAF’s commitment to employing precise and purposeful force in neutralizing terrorists and other criminal elements, while urging citizens to refrain from associating or cohabiting with terrorists and bandits, as such connections increase the risk of collateral damage during military operations.
He assured that public cooperation remains essential to protecting innocent lives as security forces ramp up operations nationwide, stating that the Nigerian Air Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, is fully dedicated to eradicating terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping throughout Sokoto State, the broader North-West region, and the nation as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compensation was provided to the victims?
The Nigerian Air Force provided compensation to the victims and families affected by the accidental airstrike to express sympathy, promote accountability, and provide closure.
What measures are being taken to prevent civilian harm in the future?
The NAF is implementing a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan aimed at enhancing operational planning, improving assessments, and ensuring effective responses to civilian harm incidents.
How can the public assist in preventing collateral damage during military operations?
The public can help by refraining from associating with terrorists and bandits, as such associations increase the risk of collateral damage during military operations.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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