Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Nigeria’s Air Chief, visited Zamfara to meet airstrike victims, taking responsibility for the accidental attack on a vigilante group. He pledged compensation, infrastructure support, and improved operational accuracy. Governor Dauda Lawal commended the gesture and allocated land for a new Air Force base in Gusau.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has visited Zamfara State following a recent airstrike that mistakenly hit civilians, assuring affected families of accountability and support from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
During the visit, he expressed deep regret over the incident, acknowledging the loss of lives and injuries suffered. The airstrike, which took place in Maradun Local Government Area, was intended to neutralize suspected terrorists linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji. However, reports later confirmed that the operation inadvertently struck a local vigilante group returning from an anti-banditry mission.
Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized that the Air Force is committed to improving precision in its operations. He announced compensation for victims’ families, the reconstruction of damaged structures, and the provision of a solar-powered borehole to enhance community welfare. Additionally, he assured that operational strategies would be refined under the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (NAF CHMR-AP) to prevent similar errors in the future.
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, who received the Air Chief, appreciated the military’s efforts to take responsibility and collaborate with the state to enhance security. As a show of support, the governor allocated land near Gusau Airport for a new Air Force base, aimed at strengthening military operations against criminal elements in the region.
