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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has admitted to killing civilians in the Zamfara community during an air bombardment of suspected bandits’ hideouts.
The service stated that its findings confirmed 11 members of the vigilante group were unintentionally killed, while another 11 sustained injuries ranging from fractures to minor shrapnel wounds.
In a statement, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, made this admission when he visited Zamfara State to meet with victims and families affected by the recent airstrike, expressing deep regret over the tragic incident.
During his visit on Thursday, the CAS acknowledged the grief and pain suffered by the victims, their families, and the entire community, describing the event as a painful departure from the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens.
He revealed that the NAF had earmarked financial support for the families of those who lost their lives, while also committing to the reconstruction of the damaged building in the affected village.
“Additionally, he assured that the two motorcycles destroyed in the airstrike would be replaced. In further efforts to support the affected community, he directed the NAF Director of Services to provide a solar-powered borehole in Kambarawa Village, which would serve the local community as well as neighbouring settlements,” he said.
He explained that while these efforts could not undo the loss suffered, they demonstrated the Air Force’s resolve to make amends and provide relief to those affected.
The CAS also used the opportunity to highlight the NAF’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (NAF CHMR-AP), which was recently developed to enhance operational precision, improve assessments and investigations, and ensure effective response mechanisms when civilian harm occurs.
He noted that the plan was designed to be flexible and scalable, making it relevant to both kinetic and non-kinetic operations.
According to him, the initiative would improve strategic outcomes, refine operational assessments, and strengthen the NAF’s capacity to mitigate civilian harm while ensuring success across the full spectrum of military operations.
Linus Aleke
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