Nigerian Army clarifies Sokoto airstrike incident, blames civilian deaths to secondary explosions

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) of the Nigerian Army has addressed the controversy surrounding the Christmas Day airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on terrorist camps in Sokoto State, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 10 villagers.

At a press conference held in Abuja on Saturday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, explained that the fatalities were caused by secondary explosions from the destruction of the terrorists’ logistics base and not the direct impact of the precision airstrikes conducted by the NAF.

According to Major General Buba, the airstrike was part of a coordinated operation between the Air and Land Components of Operation Fansan Yamma, aimed at neutralizing the Lakurawa Terrorist Group’s (LTG) hideouts in Gidan Bisa and Gidan Runtuwa within the Jirikon Forest, Silame Local Government Area.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria has a duty to defend citizens from terrorists either through peaceful means or the force of arms,” he stated.

The operation was initiated following increased terrorist activity in the region, with intelligence pointing to significant threats emanating from the targeted locations.

Buba detailed the meticulous planning that preceded the strike, including sustained Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports.

“ISR missions confirmed significant terrorist activities within the general area, and HUMINT reports corroborated these findings,” he said.

The strike was executed on December 25, 2024, at approximately 0600 hours. Precision-guided munitions were deployed to minimize collateral damage, while ground forces provided blocking positions to prevent terrorist escape and conducted post-strike assessments.

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“The ground forces confirmed the hideout was successfully neutralized with minimal damage to the surrounding villages,” Buba noted.

Major General Buba emphasized that the civilian casualties resulted from secondary explosions triggered by the destruction of the terrorists’ logistics base, which housed hazardous materials, including explosives and ammunition.

“These explosions were not caused by direct airstrikes. The destruction of key terrorist infrastructure, including arms caches and logistics dumps, confirmed the strike’s effectiveness but unfortunately led to unintended consequences,” he explained.

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The military’s statement follows earlier denials of civilian casualties, which local and state governments had disputed, citing fatalities among villagers. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for more stringent measures to protect non-combatants during military operations.

Buba reiterated the military’s commitment to avoiding civilian casualties and described any such losses as a “needless tragedy.”

“Troops will continue to take painstaking measures to avoid civilian casualties. Nevertheless, we will not relent in targeting and dislodging terrorists across our nation,” he affirmed.

The Christmas Day operation underscores the challenges faced by the Nigerian Armed Forces in balancing effective counter-terrorism measures with minimizing harm to civilians.

As the military intensifies efforts to neutralize threats, ensuring the safety and well-being of local populations remains a critical priority.

The incident has reignited discussions on the need for enhanced precision in military operations and improved collaboration with local communities to mitigate unintended consequences while combating terrorism.