The victims are residents of Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa villages of Silame local government area of the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Sunday in Abuja.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, represented by the Chief of Civil Military Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, expressed gratitude to the state government for ensuring relationship between the NAF and the people.

He commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for inclusive development policies and security initiatives under the 9-Point Smart Agenda, particularly the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps.

The CAS noted that the governor’s proactive and localised security measures had complemented federal efforts in curbing the activities of terrorists and bandits, contributing to improved safety across parts of the state and reinforcing the importance of strong civil military cooperation.

He explained that the said air strikes were conducted under Operation Fasan Yamma following intelligence reports of suspected armed terrorists transiting through the affected communities.

According to him, although multiple intelligence checks informed the mission, a petition received in April 2025 alleged civilian casualties.

“A thorough fact-finding investigation confirmed that 13 civilians were unintentionally killed and eight others sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The findings deeply saddened the Service and necessitated urgent steps to make amends,” he said.

Aneke emphasised that since assuming office on October 24, Civilian Harm Mitigation had remained at the forefront of his command philosophy.

According to him, the NAF exists primarily to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, adding that no professional military deliberately harms the very people it is sworn to defend.

He explained that the compensation exercise was intended to commiserate with the victims, promote accountability and transparency, calm tensions, and bring closure, while enabling the service to draw critical lessons to further reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.

The CAS disclosed that the NAF had continued to institutionalise measures aimed at preventing and responding to civilian harm, including the development of the NAF Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan, NAF CHMR-AP.

According to him, the framework is designed to strengthen operational planning, improve assessments and investigations, enhance continuous learning, and ensure effective response whenever civilian harm occurs.

He added that the plan’s scalability made it applicable across both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, with the protection and restoration of the civilian environment treated as a critical operational consideration.

The air chief reaffirmed NAF’s resolve to apply purposeful and precise lethality in neutralising terrorists and other criminal elements.

“We want to use this medium to appeal to citizens to desist from mingling or cohabiting with terrorists and bandits within their enclaves as such associations significantly increase the risk of collateral damage during military operations.

“Public cooperation remains vital to safeguarding innocent lives as security forces intensify operations nationwide.

“The Nigerian Air Force, in concert with other security agencies, remains fully committed to ending terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping across Sokoto State, the wider North-West region and the nation at large,” he added.

In his response, the governor expressed appreciation to the NAF for its unwavering commitment to protecting and caring for citizens, as well as its resolute role in safeguarding the nation’s security and territorial integrity.

Source: NAN

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The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Sunday, said the special forces were deployed from the 413  Force Protection Group.

Gabkwet said the deployment followed an intelligence report received on August 31, that the terrorist kingpin and his group were sighted near Sabon Gida forest along Sabon Birni Road.

He said that their mission was with likely intent to kidnap, harm or kill innocent civilians.

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According to him, after making contact with the terrorists who were on motor cycles, the terrorists immediately opened fire on sighting the Special Forces, but were met with superior fire power by the troops.

The troops eliminated all the terrorists and recovered five Dane guns, a locally fabricated sub-machine gun, and live ammunition, as well as assorted charms, lighters, sim cards and cell phone cases.

“Efforts by the troops to rid Igabi, Birnin Gwari and environs of criminals and their activities remain ongoing.

“Troops have also been commended and urged to intensify ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property,” he said.

Source: NAN

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AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the operation was made possible due to the forced migration of terrorists to higher ground following persistent rainfall.

He said that the NAF aircraft conducted an air interdiction mission, dealing a significant blow to the remnants of terrorists hiding in the area.

“Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed terrorists with salvaged belongings in makeshift accommodations, leading to precision airstrikes that destroyed structures and neutralized several militants.

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“The success of the operation demonstrates the NAF’s commitment to achieving its mandate and protecting the nation from terrorist threats.

“The excess rainfall and swampy terrain inadvertently pushed the terrorists out of hiding, allowing the NAF to strike a significant blow.

“The airstrike has destabilized the terrorists’ center of gravity, diminishing their capacity to cause harm, especially to civilian targets,” he said.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had instructed all Air Component Commanders to intensify operations against terrorists and criminal elements, and the strike at Jubillaram confirmed that the directives were yielding the required outcome.

Source: NAN

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The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch had continued in its efforts to track, locate and eliminate the terrorists responsible for the recent upsurge of terrorists’ activities.

He said that intelligence had revealed that terrorists responsible for recent attacks on civilians, abductions and cattle rustling within Shiroro local government area of Niger were domiciled in Kaduna State.

According to him, additional intelligence revealed the sighting of the terrorists relocating from Alawa Forest in Niger, to their stronghold in Malum Forest in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.

“Consequently, the Air Component planned and executed an Air Interdiction mission on the terrorists’ stronghold at Malum Forest on August 21.

“Battle damage assessment and feedback from local sources revealed several of the terrorists were eliminated as a result of the strike.

“Similar strikes were also conducted on terrorists’ hideouts at Bayan Ruwa in Maradun local government area of Zamfara.

“The terrorists were tracked to the zinc roofed structures in a vegetated area with few footpaths and a river line North West of the location.

“The targets were then acquired and engaged in successive passes,’’ he said.

In the Niger Delta, Gabkwet said that the air component of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 25 illegal refining sites and overhead tanks in Ohaji/Egbema in Imo and Degema and Cawthorne Channel in Rivers.

He said that a leaking pipeline was observed with the leakage spreading across over 150 metres radius in Greenville in Rivers.

According to him, the leakage had its attendant negative consequences on the vegetation, aquatic habitats and farmlands.

Source: NAN

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This is according to a statement by NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Sunday in Abuja,

Gabkwet said that 10 overhead tanks and several gallons of illegally refined products were also destroyed in the operation.

He said that the airstrikes were part of efforts to curtail activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs engaged in illegal and nefarious acts of bursting oil pipelines and siphoning crude oil.

He said that the air component had increased its rate of patrol, especially within the Niger Delta region, with the aim of locating illegal oil refining sites and destroying them.

“In arguably one of its most successful operations conducted along the Imo River, near Obuzor and Okoloma, about 13 active illegal refining sites were discovered.

“These sites were subsequently destroyed after the crew employed the weapons on board the aircraft.

“Several overhead tanks connected to reservoirs, as well as numerous gallons were also destroyed in the process.

“In all, 13 illegal sites, 10 overhead tanks and several gallons of illegally refined products were effectively destroyed,” he said.

Gabkwet said that the crew also spotted a truck along the riverbank, with four canoes, loading illegal products into the truck.

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According to him, after a thorough scan of the area and observing the criminals dispersed in disarray upon siting the aircraft, the truck as well as the canoes, were attacked and destroyed.

He said that the crew continued its patrol over the Trans Niger Pipeline, from Rumuekpe-Nkpoku to Bonny.

“The patrol team covered End Point, Bodo trunk line, Point, Small line attachment, Nkpoku-New Ebubu Trunkline, and Rumuekpe-Nkpoku line with no unusual activity observed.

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has commended the Air Component for its commitment to diminishing the activities of oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said NAF had intensified efforts to minimise the activities of oil thieves and other economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta.

He said that the armed reconnaissance undertaken by the aircraft revealed several illegal refining sites located in many fenced households at Umueze in Abia.

He said the information was subsequently relayed to ground troops for further exploitation and necessary action.

According to him, the illegal refining sites, which were subsequently destroyed, were observed hidden under thick vegetations around Owaza.

“Thereafter, the crew followed the river line down to Komkom and Okoloma in Rivers State, where nine illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were discovered and destroyed.

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“In total, 12 illegal refining sites and two reservoirs were destroyed.

“The sighting of illegal refining sites in fenced living environments is indicative of the sophistry of the illegal oil refining trade that would require other means beyond air strikes to checkmate,” Gabwet said.

He said that those engaged in these acts, especially in fenced living environments, should be reminded that such illegal activities were dangerous to human lives and health as well as the environment.

“Be that as it may, armed reconnaissance missions as well as destruction of illegal refining sites will continue unabated until crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage are reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the air strikes hit the enclaves of notorious terrorist kingpin, Mallam Umar and several other commanders located in Alawa Forest in Shiroro area of the state.

He said that there was extensive intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance in the targeted area, which revealed clusters of huts amidst dense vegetation, with significant presence of armed terrorists.

According to him, the targeted terrorists were responsible for the recent attacks on ground troops at Bassa and detonation of multiple Improvised Explosive Devices along Pandogari-Alawa road in Shiroro.

“Accordingly, the Air component promptly deployed its air assets to decisively eliminate the terrorists, resulting in effective and maximum damage to the targets.

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“A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment later confirmed the neutralisation of several of the terrorists and the destruction of their hideouts, with positive consequences on their ability to attack surface forces as well as innocent civilians within the area,” he said.

Gabkwet said that similar air strikes were executed against economic saboteurs siphoning crude oil from mutilated pipelines, thereby destroying the environment and ecosystem.

He said the surveillance over Ke, Egbema, Akaso Krakama, Krikama and Military Council Valley revealed retinue of illegal refining sites which were effectively destroyed.

According to him, a Cotonou boat fully loaded with crude oil was also observed at Akaso Krakama about to depart southwards and was destroyed.

“At Krikama, several cooking sites were observed and destroyed as well.

“In all, 18 illegal refining sites and three cotonou boats were destroyed.”

Gabkwet said the strikes had substantially weakened the potency of terrorist elements in the Northwest and oil thieves in the Niger Delta regions.

He assured that NAF would continue to collaborate with other security agencies through extensive situational awareness patrols and targeted interdiction of criminals’ safe havens.

Source: NAN

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This is contained in a statement by AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the airstrikes conducted on April 13, were a decisive blow against terrorism in the North-East.

He said the operation yielded significant success as the Battle Damage Assessment, BDA, post-strike conducted revealed the neutralisation of over 30 terrorists.

Gabkwet said that among those neutralised were some senior commanders of the insurgents including Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah, and Mallam Ari.

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“Additionally, numerous vehicles, motorcycles, and logistical assets were destroyed, severely hampering the terrorists’ operational capabilities.

“Intelligence gathered after the air strike further indicated that the aerial bombardment effectively obliterated a key facility within the Kolleram enclave, which served as a hub for the terrorists’ food processing activities, including grinding machines.

“The success of these airstrikes underscores NAF’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian citizens.

“By neutralising key terrorist figures and destroying their logistical infrastructure, the operation has significantly degraded the capabilities of the ISWAP group in the region.

“These airstrikes complement the ongoing efforts of ground forces in the Lake Chad flank and represent a crucial step forward in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria,” he said.

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The first strike on Tuesday targeted terrorist leader Maudi Maudi, south of Tsaskiya in Safana local government area of Katsina State.

According to the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, it was not clear if Maudi Maudi was killed but several of his gang members were eliminated.

Gabkwet said in a statement on Thursday that a post-strike battle damage assessment revealed the targeted location engulfed in flames, with a few survivors observed fleeing to safety.

“Though several terrorists were eliminated, it remains unconfirmed if Maudi Maudi was among those neutralised,” he added.

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Gabkwet also said a similar strike was carried out on Wednesday against terrorist kingpin, Alhaji Na-Shama, of Ussu Village, Nasarawar Mailayi District in Birnin Magaji local government area of Zamfara.

He said reliable human intelligence confirmed the neutralisation of several of Na-Shama’s associates and total obliteration of his camp and logistics.

According to him, it is also not confirmed yet if Na-Shama is among the victims.

He said the precision air strikes had been helping to protect civilian lives and destroying terrorists’ bases and logistics.

“This proactive approach aligns with the mission objectives of Operation Hadarin Daji, which majorly focuses on securing the Northwestern region of Nigeria from the menace of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry,” Gabkwet said.

Source: NAN

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The officer ensured the arrest of the three suspected robbers and the rescue of the two female victims.

A statement by the NAF Spokesman, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Saturday in Abuja, said that the incident occurred on February 14 along Accra Road, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, at about 7.28 pm.

“As the senior officer was commuting home in his staff car after work, he suddenly came across a distressing scene.

“Air Commodore Ijudigal saw an Abuja-painted taxi, a Mazda 323, with registration BWR 232 XB, reversing on high speed, with terrified passengers inside screaming for help.

“In pursuit of the taxi was a black Toyota Land Cruiser.

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“Instinctively, Ijudigal immediately joined in the pursuit by using his official vehicle to block the escape route of the criminals.

“The driver of the ‘one-chance’ vehicle, in a state of panic, then collided with Air Commodore Idjudigal’s official vehicle, resulting in significant damage to both cars.

“The impact caused the ‘one-chance’ vehicle to skid into a nearby garden.

“Following the collision, Air Commodore Ijudigal promptly exited his vehicle and chased after one of the occupants of the ‘one-chance’ taxi, who had fled into a nearby bush.

“With the assistance of onlookers gathered at the accident scene, the driver of the ‘one-chance’ vehicle, along with two other suspects, a male and a female, were apprehended while two female victims were rescued,” he said.

Gabkwet said the senior officer subsequently contacted the police and personally ensured that the three criminals were handed over to the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Benneth Igweh, at his office.

According to Gabkwet, the commissioner of police commended the officer for his courage.

He said the intervention did not only foil a robbery and kidnapping attempt, but also helped to apprehend the suspected criminals.

Similarly, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, hailed Ijudigal for his bravery and selfless service.

Air Commodore Ijudigal is the Deputy Director of Logistics at the Defence Headquarters.

Source: NAN

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