The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has refuted allegations of civilian casualties during an airstrike targeting bandits in Tungar Kara, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Reports from the community alleged that 16 civilians, including members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG) and vigilantes, were killed in the January 10 operation under Operation Fansan Yamma.
In a statement on Sunday, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, denied the claims, stating that the operation was executed based on credible intelligence.
He added that such allegations are often propaganda tools employed by insurgents and their sympathizers to discredit the military.
“NAF operations are conducted with every possible measure to prevent, minimize, and mitigate harm to civilians. These airstrikes were carried out to repel ongoing bandit attacks on villages in the area,” Akinboyewa said.
“As of now, there are no credible reports of civilian casualties. The public will be informed as necessary as events unfold.”
Counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama had earlier reported that vigilantes in the area were misidentified as bandits, leading to fatalities.
The publication quoted intelligence sources stating that 16 bodies had been recovered, though the exact number of casualties remains unclear.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between military operations and civilian safety in conflict zones, with repeated calls for stricter adherence to international humanitarian laws.
This incident is not the first time Nigerian military airstrikes have faced accusations of mistakenly targeting civilians.
On December 25, 2024, airstrikes in Silame LGA, Sokoto State, reportedly killed 10 civilians, prompting the state government to provide N20 million and food relief to affected families.
The Defence Headquarters later attributed the deaths to secondary explosions at a terrorist logistics base.
Vice President Kashim Shettima apologized for the incident, calling it a “rare but unfortunate consequence of counter-terrorism operations.”
Since 2015, over 19 military airstrikes have reportedly led to civilian casualties, raising concerns about operational protocols and the need for enhanced precision in intelligence and execution.
As concerns mount, experts and human rights groups have called for independent investigations into these incidents to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.
The Nigerian Air Force, however, maintains that its operations prioritize civilian safety and are conducted with precision.
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