Nigerian Air Force

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Air Force has paid compensation to victims and families affected by the accidental airstrike that occurred on December 25, 2024, in Sokoto State.

Those affected are residents of Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa communities in Silame Local Government Area.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

Speaking during the compensation exercise, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, who was represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, thanked the Sokoto State Government for sustaining cordial relations between the Air Force and local communities.

He praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his inclusive development approach and security initiatives under the 9-Point Smart Agenda, with specific reference to the creation of the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps.

According to him, the governor’s community-based security efforts have strengthened federal operations against terrorism and banditry, improved safety in parts of the state and underscored the value of effective civil-military cooperation.

Aneke explained that the airstrike was carried out under Operation Fasan Yamma following intelligence reports that suspected armed terrorists were moving through the affected areas.

He said the operation followed several intelligence checks, but a petition submitted in April 2025 later raised concerns about 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.

The air chief stated that since he assumed office on October 24, the prevention of civilian harm has remained central to his leadership philosophy.

He stressed that the Nigerian Air Force exists to protect lives and property, adding that no professional military intentionally targets the people it is mandated to defend.

According to him, the compensation exercise was designed to console the affected families, promote transparency and accountability, ease tensions and bring closure, while also allowing the service to draw lessons to reduce the chances of similar incidents in the future.

Aneke revealed that the Air Force has continued to put structures in place to prevent and address civilian harm, including the introduction of the NAF Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan.

He said the framework is intended to strengthen operational planning, improve assessments and investigations, encourage continuous learning and ensure prompt response whenever civilian harm occurs.

He added that the plan applies to both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, with the protection and restoration of the civilian environment recognised as a key operational priority.

The air chief reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to the precise and deliberate use of force against terrorists and criminal groups.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has thrown its weight behind a naval officer who stood his ground against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during a recent confrontation in the Gudu district of Abuja.

The incident, which was captured on video, showed the minister engaged in a heated argument with the officer, who was preventing the FCT team from accessing a disputed piece of land.

In a statement released on Wednesday by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the military high command commended the officer’s conduct.

The statement emphasized the importance of serving the nation with “honesty, integrity, and honour,” while adhering to orders with discipline and respect.

“It is a virtue to serve the nation with honesty and integrity. The military encourages any officer who stands to protect the dignity of the nation and its laws with honour,” the DHQ stated.

The land in question is reportedly owned by the immediate-past Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd).

The confrontation has highlighted ongoing tensions over land disputes in the capital city.

Security and government authorities are said to be investigating the incident to establish the full facts and prevent any further friction between civil ministries and the armed forces.

By Anas Abbas 

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed more than 25 terrorists in a coordinated night air raid around Bula in Yobe State and the Banki axis of Borno State.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja. 

He explained that the operation was carried out on September 18, following actionable intelligence provided by ground troops.

According to Ejodame, a combination of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets and strike aircraft tracked terrorist movements and spotted multiple groups north of Banki. The terrorists were then hit in three successive precision strikes along their movement routes and assembly points.

“Real-time updates were relayed to ground forces and base operations, enabling synchronised action. The strike aircraft engaged the terrorists in three successive precision strikes, effectively neutralising more than 25 fighters,” Ejodame stated.

He added that post-strike surveillance confirmed that ground forces had maintained their defensive positions, with no further threats detected.

Ejodame said the operation highlighted the Air Force’s unwavering support for ground troops and its commitment to denying terrorists freedom of action in the North-East.

The operation comes just days after Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Darajamal community in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno on September 8, killing at least 63 people, including five soldiers. The attackers, who rode in on motorcycles, shot indiscriminately, razed houses and vehicles before military reinforcements arrived.

Governor Babagana Zulum had described that incident as “very sad,” confirming the death toll and pledging government support to the affected families.

By Uzair Adam 

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the successful elimination of several bandits during airstrikes in Babban Kauye village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on November 15.  

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, disclosed that the operation, under the framework of Operation Fansan Yamma, targeted a large assembly of bandits in the area. 

The airstrikes, part of Operation Farautar Mujiya, were aimed at degrading the operational capabilities of notorious bandit factions in Northwestern Nigeria.  

Akinboyewa noted that intelligence reports had revealed the bandits were planning coordinated attacks on military personnel and civilians in the Tsafe axis. 

Acting on this information, NAF executed a series of airstrikes, resulting in significant casualties among the bandits, including key loyalists of infamous leaders Dan-Isuhu and Dogo Sule.  

“Reports from the ground confirmed the successful elimination of numerous high-ranking members of these groups, delivering a severe blow to their operations,” he said.  

Tsafe Local Government Area has long been a hotspot for bandit activities, with Babban Kauye serving as a strategic safe haven for their operations. 

The recent airstrikes are part of ongoing efforts to dismantle bandit networks and restore peace to the region.  

Air Commodore Akinboyewa reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to eliminate threats posed by bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements across the country.  

The air component of Operation Fansan Yamma continues to intensify efforts to secure the Northwest and ensure the safety of its residents.

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Nigerian Air Force announced on Tuesday that its air component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) had successfully neutralised over 30 militants, including two high-profile leaders, Ali Dawud and Bakurah Fallujah im Borno State. 

Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, disclosed that the airstrikes, carried out over the weekend, targeted the hideouts of ISWAP terrorists nestled within Kolleram village along Lake Chad’s shores.  

The precision strikes, executed on April 13, 2024, resulted in the destruction of numerous vehicles, motorcycles, and logistical assets, severely disrupting the terrorists’ operational capabilities. 

Gabkwet reported that the Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) post-strike revealed the elimination of key figures such as Ali Dawud, Bakurah Fallujah, and Mallam Ari.  

Additionally, intelligence gathered indicated the effective obliteration of a vital facility within the Kolleram enclave, disrupting the terrorists’ food processing activities. 

The success of these airstrikes shows  the NAF’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and safeguarding Nigerian citizens.  

By neutralising top terrorist operatives and dismantling their logistical infrastructure, the operation has significantly weakened ISWAP’s presence in the region. 

The airstrikes, complementing ground forces’ ongoing efforts on the Lake Chad flank, mark a crucial advancement in Nigeria’s counterterrorism endeavours, signalling a resolute stance against extremist threats.

By Muhammad Sabiu