Some natives of Bunu-Tai in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State have demanded compensation for injuries and damages they suffered during a military airstrike at a palm kernel mill in the area.

The air raid occurred on May 21, 2025, with many residents alleging damage to their land and various bodily injuries.

Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of the Community Development Committee in Bunu-Tai, Kingsley Kabari, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had admitted that the airstrike on the community was a mistake.

Kabari, whose wife, Blessing, was allegedly hit during the airstrike, further explained that the military said they had mistaken the facility for an illegal oil bunkering site.

He disclosed that the Commander of the Nigerian Air Force Base in Port Harcourt, who represented the Chief of Air Staff, visited his wife last Friday at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where she was receiving treatment.

The CDC chairman said the military blamed the attack on misinformation, adding that they had promised to cover the medical bills of the victims but had yet to fulfil that promise.

Kabari stated, “The Commander, Nigerian Air Force, Port Harcourt, said he was sent by the Chief of Air Staff to come and see the woman and visit the scene of the crime.

“He (the emissary) didn’t visit the scene of the crime; he only came to see the woman at the UPTH, where he apologised to me personally that the raid on the community was an error.

“That they were misinformed, thinking that place was for illegal bunkering. They now say they will pay the medical expenses of the woman and others. But as I speak to you, we have not received a dime from them.”

He said that although the representative of the Air Chief had personally apologised to him, he should also apologise to the community, visit the scene to assess the damage, and ensure appropriate compensation.

Kabari also noted that he had made several unreceipted expenses, especially in providing urgent medical attention to save his wife.

He continued, “Although yesterday he called me and asked me to prepare the balance of what we spent so that they can give us a refund.

“There are a lot of things that I spent on that were not received.”

He added that some victims were still receiving treatment in various hospitals and again called on the Chief of Air Staff to personally visit the scene of the incident, assess the level of damage, and ensure proper compensation.

“I insist that the Chief of Air Staff should visit the scene of the crime. There was a lot of damage that was done.

“They have to compensate the community. Throughout that day, everybody went into disarray because of that incident. He has not apologised to the community, though he has apologised to me.

“So he will still need to come to the community and apologise to the community as a whole.”