NAF Makes A U-turn, Admits ‘Unfortunate’ Bombing Of Civilians In Yobe

After preliminary denial, the Nigerian Air Drive on Thursday admitted that one in all its fighter jets on a mission in opposition to terrorists “sadly” bombed civilians in Yobe State on Wednesday.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Data, Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in an announcement made obtainable to journalists right this moment, including that investigation had commenced into the incident.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that residents of Buhari community, within the Yunusari Native Authorities Space of Yobe on Wednesday claimed {that a} NAF fighter jet rained bullets from the skies and killed 9 folks within the space whereas a number of different villagers sustained accidents.

Air Drive spokesman had on Wednesday denied studies linking one in all its fighter jets to the bombing.

Gabkwet had defined that the mission final performed by NAF in Yobe was earlier within the month.

“NAF final performed a mission into Yobe State (not Yunusari LGA) on 5 September 2021 and it was an armed Recce. No bomb or missile was even expended,” he had mentioned.

However in an announcement on Thursday, the NAF spokesman mentioned the “preliminary launch denying the involvement of NAF plane was primarily based on the primary report obtainable” on the time.

In the assertion titled, ‘Investigation Commences On Alleged Plane Firing Of Civilian Settlements’, Gabkwet mentioned the placement of the incident was a infamous lair for terrorists and “well-known for steady Boko Haram /ISWAP actions”.

The assertion learn, “Following intelligence on Boko Haram/ISWAP actions alongside the Kamadougou Yobe River line, an plane from the Air Element of Operation Hadin Kai was detailed to answer the suspected terrorist actions within the space alongside the Nigeria/Niger border at about 0600hrs on 15 September 2021.

“The plane whereas working South of Kanama noticed suspicious motion according to Boko Haram terrorist behaviour every time a jet plane is overhead. Accordingly, the pilot fired some probing photographs. It is very important state that the realm is well-known for steady Boko Haram /ISWAP actions.

“Sadly studies reaching Nigerian Air Drive Headquarters alleged that some civilians had been erroneously killed whereas others had been injured.

“Preliminary launch denying the involvement of NAF plane was primarily based on the primary report obtainable to the Air Element which was subsequently forwarded to NAF headquarters that civilians had been bombed because the plane detailed for the mission was not carrying bombs.

“Due to this fact, a Board of Inquiry has been set as much as totally examine the circumstances of the incident.”

Of latest, Nigerian Navy jets on missions in opposition to terrorists and different criminals have been accused of bombing harmless Nigerians, together with troopers, as a result of alleged miscalculations.

In April 2021, over 20 troopers on floor had been allegedly slain in Mainok, Borno State, when a NAF fighter jet responding to assaults on a navy camp by Boko Haram insurgents bombed the navy camp primarily based on a fallacious coordinate.

Gabkwet had mentioned that the incident was beneath investigation.

Additionally, regardless of pictorial proof {that a} navy chopper opened hearth on boat passengers carrying foodstuffs whereas travelling from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island in Rivers State final month, injuring them within the course of, the Defence Headquarters had mentioned these photographs had been “unlawful oil bunkerers”.