The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has directed a probe into Nigeria Air Force (NAF) airstrikes on bandits, which allegedly killed some vigilantes in Zamfara State.
The CAS, in a statement by the Director, NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Olusola Akinboyewa, stated this while reacting to controversies on the recent NAF airstrikes against bandits in Zamfara State.
He said the recent airstrikes at Tungar Kara in Zurmi local government area of the State dealt a decisive blow to bandits terrorising villages in the area.
He, however, said while the operation successfully eliminated several bandits and led to the recovery of some kidnap victims, “the NAF views with grave concern reports of the loss of civilian lives in the course of the operation. As a responsible and professional custodian of airpower for the security of the nation, the NAF believes in the absolute value of the life of every Nigerian.
“Accordingly, a comprehensive investigation is in progress, to ascertain the veracity of the reports, the outcome of which will be duly communicated to inform and re-assure the public,” he said.
He assured that, while NAF mission in the North-West remains to combat banditry and restore peace, the safety and well-being of all Nigerians are of utmost importance.
The Air Chief, therefore, pledged NAF commitment to work closely with all relevant authorities to unravel the facts and take appropriate steps, as part of commitment to prevent, minimise and mitigate any harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of our operations.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Zamfara State Government, however, confirmed the accidental killing of the vigilantes, who were, according to it, mistaken for fleeing bandits during the NAF operation in the State on Saturday.
