The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has paid N23 million in compensation to victims of the 2021 accidental airstrike in Buhari village, Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The incident, which claimed the lives of several innocent civilians and injured many others, occurred during a military operation targeting suspected terrorists from the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Speaking during a visit to the community, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, expressed deep regret over the tragic event. He described the bombing as an “unfortunate mistake” and assured the people that it was never intentional.
The Air Chief, who was represented by Air Commodore Umar U. Idris, the Air Component Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, said the airstrike happened during an operation targeting Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the area.
“I wish to state categorically that this incident was not intentional. It was a mistake that occurred during an operation targeting a Boko Haram enclave,” he said.
To support the affected families, the Nigerian Air Force disbursed N1 million each to the families of eight deceased victims, and N500,000 each to 30 persons who sustained various degrees of injuries.
Beyond the cash compensation, NAF also initiated community development projects to help the people of Buhari village recover. One of these projects includes the installation of a solar-powered borehole to provide clean water to the village, which has long struggled with access to potable water.
The Air Force chief said the gesture was part of efforts to show remorse and to rebuild trust between the military and civilians in conflict-affected areas.
“We are deeply sorry for the pain and loss this incident caused. We want to assure you that NAF is committed to protecting lives, not taking them,” he added.
The compensation comes four years after the incident, which drew wide condemnation and sparked concerns about civilian safety during military operations. Human rights groups and local leaders had previously called for an investigation and compensation for victims.
In his remarks, Yobe State Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Saleh Samanja, who was present at the event, commended the Nigerian Air Force for acknowledging the error and taking steps to compensate the affected families.
“This gesture will help to heal the wounds and improve the relationship between the military and the people,” he said.
He encouraged continuous dialogue and cooperation between security forces and local communities to prevent future incidents and strengthen peace efforts in the North-East.
The 2021 bombing in Buhari village was one of several incidents in recent years where civilians have been accidentally killed during airstrikes meant to target terrorist groups in the region.
