…as governor Buni demands probe
The Nigerian Air Force on Thursday admitted that one of its fighter jets on a mission against terrorists “unfortunately” bombed civilians in Yobe State on Wednesday. This came after the NAF’s initial denial of the involvement of any of its jets in the airstrike on civilians.
NAF had denied claims by residents of Buhari community in the Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State on Wednesday that a jet fighter belonging to the Air Force had spread bullets on their people as they prepared to go to a market in a neighbouring community that morning.
They said nine people had died, with several others wounded. Some of the wounded were people who came out to help those who had been shot, who in turn got shot at.
But retracting the initial denial on Thursday, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, in a statement, admitted the involvement of the Air Force in the tragedy and said investigation into the event had commenced.
Gabkwet’s statement was titled, ‘Investigation commences on alleged aircraft firing of civilian settlements’, in which he declared that the location of the incident was a notorious home for terrorists and “well known for continuous Boko Haram/ISWAP activities.”
Below is his statement:
“Following intelligence on Boko Haram/ISWAP movements along the Kamadougou Yobe River line, an aircraft from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was detailed to respond to the suspected terrorist activities in the area along the Nigeria/Niger border at about 0600hrs on 15 September 2021.
“The aircraft, while operating South of Kanama, observed suspicious movement consistent with Boko Haram terrorist behaviour whenever a jet aircraft is overhead. Accordingly, the pilot fired some probing shots. It is important to state that the area is well known for continuous Boko Haram/ISWAP activities.
“Unfortunately, reports reaching Nigerian Air Force Headquarters alleged that some civilians were erroneously killed while others were injured.
“Initial release denying the involvement of NAF aircraft was based on the first report available to the Air Component, which was subsequently forwarded to NAF headquarters that civilians were bombed as the aircraft detailed for the mission was not carrying bombs.
“Therefore, a Board of Inquiry has been set up to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the incident.”
This came as the Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, demanded a probe into the bombing saga.
Speaking through a statement by his Director-General Press and Media, Mamman Mohammed, Buni declared that the “Government will work closely with the security forces especially the Nigeria Air Force to establish what actually happened”.
“This is very important and necessary for us to guard against future occurrence and to safeguard the lives of our people.”
He directed his Special Adviser on Security Affairs to liaise with the Nigeria Air Force and the Multi-National Joint Task Force investigate the attack on the civilians.
Buni also assured that his administration will work with all security forces to ensure the safety of the state.