BY ROTIMI DUROJAIYE
The Nigerian Air Force has admitted that its aircraft is responsible for the accidental shooting at Buhari village in Yunusari Local Government of Yobe State.
In a statement on Thursday, the Air Force spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, an Air Commodore, admitted that some shots were fired from a military aircraft.
He said Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were the targets, attributing his initial denial to the fact that the aircraft did not carry bombs.
“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.
“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,” Gabkwet explained.
A military air strike had hit Buhari village in Yunusari LGA of Yobe state on Wednesday.
The jet was said to have been targeting ISWAP terrorist group, but accidentally hit the village.
The strike had killed nine persons in the village and injured many others who were taken to a nearby hospital.
