The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has expressed concern over reports that its airstrikes on terrorist hideouts, including areas linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, led to the death of civilian in Zamfara State.
Reports had said the airstrike on the Tungar Kara community under Gidan Goga district of Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, on Saturday evening, mistakenly hit members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), local vigilantes and residents, leaving at least 16 people dead.
A lawmaker representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Maharazu Salisu Gado Faru, who confirmed the report had described the airstrike as an accident, stating that it targeted local vigilantes who mobilised to counter the bandits.
Responding to the incident, NAF spokesperson AVM Akinboyewa in a Sunday statement said its operations were usually conducted with caution for human lives.
“We take every precaution to prevent harm to civilians during operations. The reports may be propaganda from terrorists seeking to undermine the military’s success.”
While confirming an investigation is underway to ascertain the truth of these claims, Akinboyewa emphasised that no credible evidence supports reports of civilian casualties.
“Our operations are guided by reliable intelligence from multiple verifiable sources, and no civilian casualties have been confirmed at this time,” he added.
NAF issued a statement titled, “NAF Conducts Decisive Air Strikes in Zamfara, Investigating Vigilante Casualty Reports.”
The statement outlined that recent strikes in Tungar Kara successfully neutralised bandits and rescued kidnap victims, stressing NAF’s commitment to civilian safety and security.