The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of civilians following reports of alleged civilian casualties arising from air operations conducted in Kurigi Village, Kontokoro District, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
In a statement in Abuja, the NAF said it had taken note of reports alleging that civilians were killed and injured during an air operation carried out on Sunday, 25 January 2026. The Air Force described the reports as grave and expressed deep concern over the alleged loss of lives and injuries.
The NAF stressed that the protection of non-combatants remains a core component of its operational doctrine, noting that it has consistently implemented its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response – Action Plan (CHMR-AP) over the past year. According to the statement, the framework integrates civilian protection measures into all stages of military operations, alongside enhanced training, procedures, and safeguards aimed at reducing harm.
As part of its response to the reported incident, the NAF disclosed that it has activated a Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation (CHAI) team to carry out an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the operation.
The Air Force assured Nigerians that the investigation would be conducted in line with the principles of accountability, responsibility, and transparency, adding that it remains committed to taking responsibility where necessary and implementing corrective measures to prevent a recurrence.
The statement, signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, reiterated the NAF’s resolve to safeguard innocent lives while continuing to defend the nation with professionalism, restraint, and respect for public trust.
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