No credible evidence of civilian casualties in Zamfara air strike, says NAF

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has claimed there is no credible evidence to support reports that 16 civilians were killed during an airstrike targeting insurgents in Tungar Kara, Maradun LGA of Zamfara state.

On Sunday, the NAF said the air strikes, conducted under Operation Fansan Yamma on January 10 was a “devastatingly well-coordinated air-ground assault” targeting banditry in the state.

However, reports had emerged from the community alleging that 16 residents, including members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG) and vigilantes, were mistakenly killed during the operation.

In a report, Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region quoted intelligence sources as saying the vigilantes were misidentified as bandits after gunmen fled the area.

“So far, 16 dead bodies have been retrieved, but the total number of casualties is not yet clear,” the report noted.

NAF: OUR OPERATIONS BASED ON CREDIBLE INTEL

Following an enquiry by TheCable on Sunday, Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF’s director of public relations and information, denied the allegations, stating that the air force employs “every possible measure to prevent, minimise and mitigate harm to civilians in the conduct of operations”.

He added that the reports might be “emanating from terrorists and their sympathisers as a way of discrediting the military with propaganda, seeing they are now increasingly on the receiving end”.

Akinboyewa said there was no credible report of civilian casualties and that the airstrikes were based on reliable intelligence.

“Nevertheless, please remain assured that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations against bandits, terrorists and other similar threats are conducted based on credible, reliable intel drawn form multiple verifiable sources and subject to further confirmatory analysis,” he said. 

“The air component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out the airstrikes in question to repel ongoing bandit attacks on villages in the area.

“As of date, we have not received any credible reports of civilian casualties being involved in this instance. As events unfold, members of the public would be kept informed as might become necessary.”

HISTORY OF CONTROVERSY

The incident is not the first time military air strikes have been accused of claiming civilian casualties.

On December 25, 2024, media reports indicated that air strikes targeting the Lakurawa terrorist group in Sokoto state mistakenly killed civilians in the Silame LGA of the state.

The military denied the allegations, with Abubakar Abdullahi, joint media coordinator for Operation Hadarin Daji, saying the strikes were based on thorough intelligence to ensure precision.

However, the Sokoto state government countered the military’s claims, stating that no fewer than 10 civilians were killed when fighter jets “mistakenly” bombed the village.

Muhammad Sifawa, secretary to the state government, announced N20 million and food relief for the victims’ families while assuring coverage of medical bills for the injured.

Two days later, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the deaths were caused by secondary explosions at a terrorist logistics base.

Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said, “When munitions hit a logistics base, secondary explosions can occur, causing unintended casualties.”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima later apologised to the affected families, describing the incident as “one of the rare but unfortunate consequences of counter-terrorism operations.”

Over the past decade, at least 19 military airstrikes in Nigeria have “mistakenly” hit civilians instead of the intended terrorist targets.

These incidents have claimed more than 400 lives, injured hundreds, and raised concerns over violations of humanitarian laws which requires minimal harm to civilians during armed conflict.