Air Force Donates N51m To Families, Victims Of Air Strike

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Sokoto State government have donated a N51 million to the victims and families affected by the former’s airstrike in Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa villages of Silame local government area on December 25, 2024.

A NAF delegation led by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, representing the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, presented the donation to the affected families during a visit to the Government House in Sokoto.

Gabkwet conveyed the condolences of NAF to the families of the deceased and the injured survivors, stressing that the Air Force regrets the incident. He reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to strong civil-military relations, community engagement, and the protection of civilian lives.

He stated that NAF had accepted responsibility for the airstrike and was implementing measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

AVM Gabkwet said, “In April 2025, a petition was received that the airstrike affected the said communities and erroneously too, thirteen persons were killed as a result of the strike; twelve from Gidan Bissa and one from Runtuwa village with eight injured in both locations.

“Deeply disturbed by the allegation, my predecessor immediately instituted a fact finding team to proceed to the sight of the incident and liaise with relevant stakeholders for a holistic assessment and the investigation of the alleged accidental strike.

“The fact finding team has since submitted their report and findings, which confirmed that, thirteen civilians were unintentionally killed and others sustained various degrees of injuries. The need to make amend therefore became very expedient.

“Since my assumption of office as Chief of the Air Staff on the 24th October, 2025 I have ensured that civilian harm mitigation remain at the front burner of my command philosophy. Accordingly, my visit to you today, Your Excellency, is thus predicated on the foregoing, which is to; commiserate with you, the victims, their families and the good people of Sokoto state over the unfortunate incident of 25th December 2024.”

The donation from the NAF was formally received by the chairman of Silame local government area, Alhaji Abubakar Gitta Rana, on behalf of the victims and bereaved families.

In his remarks, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Air Force for its response, sense of responsibility and show of compassion toward the affected communities.

Special prayers were offered during the event for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives, with appeals for peace, comfort and strength for their families and the affected communities.