NAF Investigates Zamfara Airstrike Casualties, Pledges Transparency

Governor Dauda Lawal welcomed a fact-finding team from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at Government House, Gusau, on Tuesday. The delegation, led by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Coordination and Cooperation for Civil-Military Relations, visited Zamfara State to investigate reports of civilian casualties from a recent airstrike.

The airstrike, which occurred on Saturday, January 11, 2025, prompted the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, to dispatch the team for an independent review. The investigation aims to provide a comprehensive assessment and guide further action, if necessary.

Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet assured stakeholders of NAF's commitment to professionalism, transparency, and adherence to global standards. He emphasized the Air Force's core value of respecting the lives and well-being of every Nigerian, reiterating that the investigation would be impartial and thorough.

During the meeting, Governor Lawal expressed his unwavering support for the military, particularly the NAF, in its ongoing efforts to combat banditry in Zamfara State. He acknowledged the complexities of military operations, noting that collateral damage, while regrettable, is sometimes an unintended outcome in the fight against insurgency.

The governor also extended his gratitude to the CAS for the NAF's continued role in ensuring the safety of Zamfara residents.

Following the meeting, the fact-finding team proceeded to Tungar Kara, the site of the airstrike, to conduct an on-ground situational and environmental assessment. The data collected will be thoroughly analysed to enhance the NAF's strategies for protecting civilians and infrastructure during anti-banditry and counterterrorism operations in the North West.