The Nigerian Air Force has disbursed compensation to victims and families impacted by the unintended airstrike that took place on December 25, 2024, in Sokoto State.
Those affected are inhabitants of Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa communities in Silame Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, represented by the Chief of Civil Military Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, appreciated the state government for sustaining cordial relations between the NAF and the people.
He praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his inclusive development strategies and security programmes under the 9-Point Smart Agenda, especially the creation of the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps.
The CAS observed that the governor’s proactive and community-based security initiatives have supported federal efforts in suppressing terrorists and bandits, leading to enhanced safety in parts of the state and underscoring the value of strong civil-military collaboration.
He stated that the airstrike was executed under Operation Fasan Yamma after intelligence reports indicated the movement of suspected armed terrorists through the affected areas.
According to him, despite multiple intelligence verifications guiding the operation, a petition submitted 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 stressed that since taking office on October 24, civilian harm mitigation has remained central to his command philosophy.
He explained that the NAF exists primarily to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians, noting that no professional military intentionally harms the very people it is sworn to protect.
He said the compensation exercise was meant to sympathise with the victims, encourage accountability and transparency, ease tensions, and provide closure, while allowing the service to draw vital lessons to further minimise the chances of similar occurrences in the future.
The CAS revealed that the NAF has continued to institutionalise measures targeted at preventing and addressing civilian harm, including the formulation of the NAF Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan.
According to him, the framework is intended to reinforce operational planning, enhance assessments and investigations, promote continuous learning, and ensure prompt response whenever civilian harm arises.
He added that the plan’s adaptability makes it relevant across both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, with the protection and restoration of the civilian environment regarded as a key operational priority.
The air chief reiterated NAF’s commitment to applying deliberate 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 thanked the NAF for its steadfast commitment to protecting and caring for citizens, as well as its determined role in preserving national security and territorial integrity.
