Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, welcomed a fact-finding team from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the Government House in Gusau. The team, led by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Coordination and Cooperation in the Civil-Military Relations Branch of the NAF, was dispatched by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar. Their mission was to investigate reports of civilian casualties resulting from a NAF airstrike on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in Zamfara State.

According to a statement by the NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, the team will engage with state and local officials and other stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive assessment that will guide future actions. During the meeting, AVM Gabkwet emphasized NAF’s dedication to professionalism, transparency, and adherence to international standards in all operations. He highlighted the Service’s deep respect for human life, stating that this commitment forms a cornerstone of NAF’s values.

Governor Lawal expressed his appreciation for the military’s efforts in combating banditry and reiterated his unwavering support for the NAF. While acknowledging the complexities of military operations, he noted that collateral damage is often an unfortunate but unintended outcome. Based on the information available to him, the Governor stressed that the incident was not deliberate and reaffirmed his solidarity with the NAF. He also urged the team to convey his gratitude to the CAS for NAF’s critical role in enhancing security in Zamfara State.

The team proceeded to Tungar Kara, the site of the airstrikes, for an on-site assessment. AVM Akinboyewa explained that data gathered during the visit would be analyzed to improve NAF’s capacity to protect civilians and infrastructure while combating banditry and terrorism in the Northwest.

BY

VANGAURD NEWSPAPER