By Segun Onibiyo
ZAMFARA – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has admitted responsibility for the deaths of civilians in a recent airstrike meant to eliminate armed bandits in Zamfara State, Northeast Nigeria. The tragedy has sparked fresh concerns about military operations in the region, with security analysts warning that without significant reforms, such mistakes could continue.
In an exclusive chat with TruthNigeria, security experts said the incident underscores long-standing flaws in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency strategy – flaws that, if unaddressed, could deepen mistrust between civilians and security forces.
A Mission Gone Wrong
The airstrike, carried out on January 12, was part of ‘Operation Fansan Yamma,’ (Fasan Yamma meaning ‘breaking into the day’) a joint military offensive targeting the Fakai Hills, in Zamfara state, Northeast Nigeria, a known hideout for bandit kingpin Kachallah Bello Turji and his fighters. The military has since confirmed that 11 members of a local vigilante group were mistakenly killed, while 11 others were wounded.
Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff, visited Kambarawa Village, where the casualties occurred, to meet with victims’ families and offer financial compensation, assistance for the injured, and community projects.
“This airstrike represents a tragic departure from our commitment to protecting civilians,” Abubakar said. “We deeply regret the loss of innocent lives and will do everything in our power to ensure this never happens again.”
As part of its response, the military has pledged to rebuild a damaged structure, replace two motorcycles destroyed in the strike, and construct a solar-powered borehole for the affected community.
Security Experts: “This is a Wake-Up Call”
For military analysts, however, compensation alone is not enough. In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with TruthNigeria, security and defense experts argued that the Zamfara airstrike is symptomatic of deeper problems in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations.
Retired Air Commodore Abdullahi Usman, a former senior officer in the Nigerian Air Force, said the military’s admission of error is rare—but not surprising.
“The Air Force’s statement is an acknowledgment of what many of us have been warning about for years: intelligence failures, poor target verification, and inadequate surveillance,” Usman told TruthNigeria.
“Airstrikes are meant to be precise. If the military had real-time intelligence and better coordination with ground forces, this tragedy could have been avoided.”
He added that the military must urgently review its targeting protocols to ensure civilians do not become collateral damage in future operations.
“Lack of Intelligence Is the Real Enemy”
Another security analyst, Paul Iwugiwei, a Kaduna-based expert in ballistics and counterinsurgency operations, told TruthNigeria that the real problem lies in intelligence gathering.
“Precision airstrikes require real-time surveillance, sophisticated tracking, and human intelligence from people on the ground. If any of these elements fail, the likelihood of civilian casualties increases,” Iwugiwei said.
He pointed to previous military mistakes, including a 2021 NAF airstrike in Yobe State that killed several villagers and a 2022 bombing in Borno State that reportedly claimed over 30 civilian lives.
“The Nigerian military is fighting a faceless enemy,” he explained. “Bandits do not wear uniforms. They live among civilians, they use them as shields. This makes intelligence gathering absolutely critical. If you don’t have solid, up-to-date intelligence, every airstrike becomes a gamble.”
Iwugiwei added that military reforms must go beyond just financial compensation.
“Throwing money at grieving families is not enough. We need stronger intelligence capabilities, better pilot training, and more accountability for errors. Otherwise, this cycle of mistakes and apologies will continue.”
“Civilians Should Not Pay the Price for Military Failures”
For local residents, however, words of regret and promises of reform offer little comfort. Mallam Gombao Rabio, a district head in Zamfara, told TruthNigeria that the airstrike has left the community shaken.
“For those of us living here, this is more than just a military mistake. It is a reminder that we are caught between armed bandits and an air force that sometimes doesn’t know who it is fighting,” Rabio said.
“How can we trust that this won’t happen again? What real measures are being put in place? We don’t just want compensation. We want accountability.”
New Military Initiative: Will It Work?
In response to the criticism, the Nigerian Air Force has launched the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP), a new initiative aimed at improving targeting precision, post-strike investigations, and civilian engagement.
“This initiative will refine our operational strategies and ensure we minimize harm to civilians while achieving mission objectives,” Air Marshal Abubakar said.
But retired Air Commodore Usman remains skeptical.
“A plan is only as good as its implementation,” he told TruthNigeria. “The real test will be whether NAF actually follows through on these reforms.”
For Paul Iwugiwei, the challenge is not just military strategy, but public trust.
“The Nigerian Air Force cannot afford to lose public confidence,” he said. “If civilians begin to see the military as just another threat, it will make counterinsurgency efforts even harder. The reforms must be real, not just public relations.”
A Pattern of Mistakes?
The Zamfara airstrike is not an isolated case. Reports suggest that on the same day, January 12, another airstrike in the state killed 16 civilians. This raises broader concerns about the frequency of such incidents and the need for urgent reforms.
For now, the Nigerian Air Force has pledged accountability. But for the grieving families in Kambarawa Village, words alone are not enough.
“Compensation will not bring back our loved ones,” Mallam Rabio said. “What we want is simple: stop killing civilians. Protect us the way you are supposed to. That is all we ask.”
Segun Onibiyo is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
