NAF compensates victims of Sokoto airstrike
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 […]
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.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, represented by the Chief of Civil Military Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, explained that the said air strikes were conducted under Operation Fasan Yamma following intelligence reports of suspected armed terrorists transiting through the affected communities.
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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.
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 air chief reaffirmed NAF’s resolve to apply purposeful and precise lethality in neutralising terrorists and other criminal elements. (NAN)