Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to work closely with Nigerian Armed Forces to end banditry in the state.
He stated this during a sympathy visit by the Chief of Air Staff ,CAS, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, yesterday.
This is contained in a statement by his Media Aide, Malam Suleiman Idris on Thursday in Gusau.
The News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN, reports that Abubakar is visiting the state in respect of the Jan. 11 airstrike incident, in which 11 persons lost their lives near Gidan Makera in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.
The civilian casualties were members of the vigilante mistakenly identified as the bandits fleeing precision strikes carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansar Yamma.
Lawal commended the Service for its timely response to distress calls in volatile areas across the state.
“I want to express my appreciation for the Chief of the Air Staff, who, before his visit today, sent a strong delegation led by one of the most senior officers from the headquarters to commiserate with us and the people of Zamfara.
“He sent a delegation to Zamfara on two separate occasions.
“I want to reiterate that when the incident occurred, we addressed the media, clarifying that it was not intentional but rather an accident.
“The presence of the Chief of Air Staff in Zamfara reflects exceptional professionalism and concern”, Lawal said.
According to Lawal, the NAF is crucial in combating banditry in Zamfara, Northwest and the entire nation.
The governor said that his administration would not negotiate with the bandits, stressing that peace was gradually returning to the state through combined efforts of the government, military and security agencies.
He said that the government was constructing an airport to enhance air transportation and security in the state.
“I appeal that once the airport is completed, we would like an Air Force hangar to ensure swift operations in the state.
“We will keep contacting you because we need the Air Force. We can’t thank you enough for making this visit”, he said.
While commending the CAS for the gesture, Lawal described the visit as significant morale booster to frontline troops.
Earlier, Abubakar commended the governor for his support in addressing the tragic situation of the accidental airstrike in the state.
“You may recall that on January 11, 2025, airstrikes were carried out in Zamfara following an intelligence report of bandit activity in Gidan Makera in Maradun LGA.
“The area was targeted in pursuit of the terrorists associated with bandit Bello Turji.
“A few days after the strike, a news report claimed that the airstrike had mistakenly hit members of a vigilante group.
“Deeply concerned by the allegation, I immediately constituted a committee for a holistic assessment and investigation of the alleged strike
“The fact-finding team has since submitted their report and findings, which confirmed that 11 members of the local vigilante were unintentionally killed.
“Our visit this morning is to express our sympathy to you, the families of the victims, and the good people of Zamfara regarding the tragic incident”, Abubakar said.
NAN reports that Abubakar accompanied by the governor met with family members of the deceased and 11 other vigilantes wounded in the airstrike incident.
