The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has paid compensation to victims and families affected by the accidental airstrike that occurred on December 25, 2024, in Sokoto State, according to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The victims are residents of Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa villages in Silame Local Government Area, the service said in a statement on Sunday.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for fostering cooperation between the state and the military through inclusive development and security initiatives. He said localised measures, including the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps, had complemented federal efforts to curb terrorism and banditry, reinforcing the importance of civil-military collaboration.
He explained that the airstrike was conducted under Operation Fasan Yamma based on intelligence reports but a petition later 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.