The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has fulfilled all promises made to victims and families affected by the unfortunate accidental airstrike at Dangebe Village in Maradun local government area of Zamfara State, which occurred on January 11, 2025.
The victims were part of the collateral damage in the fight against banditry in the North-West region.
A statement by the NAF Spokesman, Air Cdre Ehimen Ejodame, on Wednesday, said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, following the incident, had sent a committee of senior officers on fact-finding visits and subsequently undertook a condolence visit to Zamfara State on March 6, 2025.
He said the CAS during the visit met with survivors, bereaved families, and members of the affected community where he acknowledged the pain, grief, and disruption caused by the incident and pledged several immediate and long-term measures to help ease the suffering of those affected.
According to him, the CAS promised the provision of financial support to the families of the deceased, reconstruction of the damaged building in the village, replacement of the two destroyed motorcycles, and the construction of a borehole in nearby Kambarawa Village to provide potable water to all surrounding communities.
He added that the promise was part of the NAF’s broader civil-military engagement strategy, which seeks to foster trust, healing, and cooperation with host communities in conflict-affected areas.
“It is heart-warming to announce that the Nigerian Air Force has kept every word of its commitment. The reconstruction of the damaged building has been completed, while 2 brand-new motorcycles have been handed over to their rightful owners. Additionally, the promised borehole has been successfully drilled and is now serving Kambarawa Village and surrounding settlements, providing clean, accessible water to hundreds of residents. Funds have also been fully disbursed to victims and their families to aid their recovery and rebuild their lives,” he said.
Air Cdre Ejodame said the affected families and community members have expressed gratitude to the NAF for its sincerity, compassion, and prompt fulfilment of promises.
He added that community leaders and residents alike praised the Service for not only acknowledging the tragic incident but for taking concrete steps to bring healing and hope.
“These actions are reflective of the Nigerian Air Force’s values of professionalism, responsibility, and respect for human dignity. The Service remains committed to upholding transparency and accountability in all its operations. It also reaffirms its resolve to minimise civilian harm, uphold human rights, and promote enduring civil-military relations as a strategic and moral imperative,” the NAF spokesman added.
He assured further that NAF holds as a sacred trust its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
“The Service will continue to strengthen its engagements with communities, ensure strict adherence to rules of engagement, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism in the conduct of its operations across all theatres,” he stated.
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