The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has paid compensation to victims and families affected by the accidental airstrike carried out on December 25, 2024, in Sokoto State.

Those who received compensation are residents of Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa communities in Silame Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, appreciated the Sokoto State Government for strengthening civil-military relations and fostering cooperation between the Air Force and host communities.

Represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the CAS commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his inclusive development policies and security initiatives under the state’s 9-Point Smart Agenda, particularly the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps.

Air Marshal Aneke noted that the governor’s proactive and community-focused security measures have complemented federal efforts to curb terrorism and banditry, contributing to improved security across parts of the state and underscoring the importance of strong civil-military collaboration.

He explained that the airstrike was conducted under Operation Fasan Yamma following intelligence reports indicating the movement of suspected terrorists through the affected communities. Despite multiple intelligence checks prior to the operation, a petition received in April 2025 alleged civilian casualties.

According to Aneke, a comprehensive fact-finding investigation later confirmed that 13 civilians were unintentionally killed, while eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

He described the findings as deeply distressing and said they prompted immediate steps to make amends to the affected families.

The CAS emphasised that since assuming office on October 24, civilian harm mitigation has been central to his command philosophy, stressing that the Nigerian Air Force exists primarily to protect lives and property and does not deliberately harm civilians.

He said the compensation exercise was aimed at showing empathy to victims, promoting accountability and transparency, easing tensions within the communities, and providing closure, while also enabling the service to draw lessons to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Aneke further disclosed that the NAF has continued to institutionalise measures to prevent and respond to civilian harm, including the implementation of the NAF Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan.

He explained that the framework is designed to strengthen operational planning, improve assessments and investigations, enhance continuous learning, and ensure effective responses whenever civilian harm occurs. He added that the plan applies to both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, with the protection of civilians treated as a critical operational priority.

While reaffirming the Air Force’s resolve to apply precise and lawful force against terrorists and criminal elements, Aneke appealed to citizens to avoid associating or cohabiting with terrorists and bandits, warning that such proximity increases the risk of collateral damage during military operations.

He assured that the Nigerian Air Force, working with other security agencies, remains fully committed to ending terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping in Sokoto State, the North-West region, and across Nigeria.