Tag: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF)

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has ordered a probe into the death of six members of a family following an air strike targeting armed gangs in Katsina State.

Sources said the NAF jet dropped a bomb on a cluster of huts on Saturday, on the outskirts of Zakka village, in Safana district.

The strike followed a bandit attack on a security base that left two police officers and a vigilante dead.

Amnesty International put the death toll at 10.

In a post on X on Sunday, the organisation called for an “impartial, transparent and immediate investigation” into the incident.

“Air strikes with high numbers of unlawful killings have become the latest in a long list of gross human rights violations perpetrated by the Nigerian military,” the post reads.

“The Nigerian authorities must give clear directives to the military to always prioritise and respect human rights,” a source said.

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However, the NAF’s spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, said in a statement that the Air Force has instituted a probe into the alleged civilian casualty.

AVM Akinboyewa said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, ordered “a thorough investigation’’ .

He said: “The reports alleging civilian casualties following the airstrikes are deeply troubling …While these claims are distressing, it is important to emphasise that they remain allegations until a comprehensive investigation is concluded.

“As a professional force dedicated to the protection of Nigeria and its people, the NAF operates under strict rules of engagement and adheres to internationally accepted standards in all its operations. The NAF Ethos guarantees that our operations are always geared towards ensuring the well-being of our nation and citizens.”

The NAF’s spokesman explained that the strike was conducted in response to intelligence indicating a terrorist attack on a Police Mobile Force location in the community, where bandits had killed two Police Mobile Force personnel and four vigilantes.

“The bandits were confirmed to be taking refuge on the nearby Yauni Hill. In a swift and decisive response, NAF air assets were deployed for an air interdiction mission. Upon arrival, the targets were identified and engaged,” he said.

Nigeria has a history of military air strikes targeting terrorists but inadvertently resulting in civilian casualties.

In December 2023, Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), vowed that air strikes would no longer record civilian deaths, noting that the duty of the military is to protect Nigerians and not kill them.

In January, more than 16 residents of a Zamfara village were killed by another NAF “accidental air strike”.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed several terrorists during series of bombardment of their hideouts in Alawa Forest in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The operation was conducted as part of efforts to secure power infrastructure and restore power in Kaduna and other North Western states.

NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, said in a statement yesterday: “The strike followed series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions which confirmed the presence of terrorist fighters who were converging to disrupt ongoing power restoration.

“The air component, acting swiftly on this intelligence, planned and carried out a successful airstrike to neutralize the threat.

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“Overhead the target area, NAF crews observed and engaged the terrorists, neutralizing several fighters and their logistics with precise firepower.”

Akinboyewa said alongside the strikes, the NAF had intensified armed reconnaissance along critical power lines from Shiroro Lake to Damba, “maintaining airspace dominance to prevent any potential terrorist interference in the restoration efforts. “

He said: “This sustained mission underscores NAF’s commitment to collaborate with other security agencies in protecting vital infrastructure and ensuring the swift and full restoration of essential services for Kaduna and neighboring states.”

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday presented cheques to 13 next-of-kins of dead soldiers.

 Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, said the ceremony marked the activation of the Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy (GPAIP).

He said: “While earlier policies primarily focused on life insurance, we recognised a gap, as there was no specific coverage for those who had become disabled or injured in the course of duty.

“Today, we take a historic step to bridge that gap with the activation of the Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy.

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“This policy provides compensation for bodily injuries, temporary or permanent disabilities, and even death.

“It also covers medical expenses incurred as a result of accidents and offers salary reimbursement while the personnel are hospitalised.

“Importantly, the Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy runs concurrently with existing insurance policies, filling in the financial gaps that are not covered by other schemes.”

Abubakar said the presentation of cheques to the first set of beneficiaries addresses a critical welfare need for the affected personnel and their families.