By Olayemi Esan
The Nigerian Air Force has set up a board to thoroughly investigate an online report the alleged airstrike on ISWAP’s location which injured some women and children at Garin Buhari in Yunusa Local Government Area of Yobe state.
NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said 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 terrorists 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 terrorists 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 (NAF) Headquarters alleged that
some civilians were erroneously killed while others were injured.
Gabkwet
noted that, the initial press statement 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.
