- NAF: Investigation Underway
There has been barrage of angry reactions from Nigerians following a viral video which claimed that a military jet belonging to the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) mistakenly bombed the operatives of the Nigerian Army, during a mission against the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast over the weekend.
In the viral video, two men were seen in military camouflage at the scene where the incident occurred. According to the men, the Air Force jet bombed the base of a group of military officers.
In the video, a thick smoke was seen billowing behind the two men.
https://twitter.com/incaseJackstrik/status/1386556978265313280?s=19
According to reports, 20 soldiers were killed in the accidental discharge of explosives.
The soliders were reportedly on their way to Mainok, Borno State which was under attack by members of the Boko Haram sect.
The Boko Haram insurgents had reportedly attacked a military base at Mainok, leading to the death of scores of military troops.
However, NAF has reacted to the allegations, stating that the force is currently investigating the incident, adding that the public will be duly updated following the conclusion of its investigation.
The statement on the official Twitter handle of NAF reads, “The attention of the @NigAirForce has been drawn to reports alleging “How NAF Killed Over 20 Nigerian Army Personnel by Accident in Air Strike” at Mainok which is about 55km to Maiduguri. The NAF wishes to state that visuals and reports being circulated are currently being investigated and the general public will be duly updated on the alleged incident.
“All inquiries should please be directed to the office of the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force or forwarded to [email protected]”
The report has in turn generated barrage of reactions from Nigerians who are baffled by the reported accidental discharge from the country’s Air Force jet.
Below are some of the reactions harvested from Twitter: “The Nigerian Air Force seems to be doing as much damage as Boko Haram. They bombed IDPs in Rann in Jan 2017. They bombed villagers in Numan in Dec 2017. And now, they’re bombing Nigerian Army soldiers. Why is EVERYTHING in Nigeria upside down?” (@ayosogunro).
“Nigerian Air Force killed over 20 Nigerian Army Officers by accident, and you think something is not wrong with Nigeria”, (@ayemojubar)
“Nigerian Air Force bombed men of the Nigeria Army and called it a friendly fire but 30 soldiers died. Friendly fire but 30 family head died. Friendly fire but the hopes of 30 villages died. Friendly fire but 30 heores died. Someone needs to be prosecuted,” (@drpenking).
“May the souls of the Nigerian Army officer and soldiers who died over the weekend rest in peace. May God console their families. Amen,” (@OgbeniDipo).
“My advice 4 all the patriotic Nigerian Army is to be very sensitive in the orders you take right now cos there is a highest level of propaganda in the country. We have fighters jets that has never mistakingly killed a Boko Haram but our patriotic army brothers,” (@Kingelvee).
Recall that in 2017, an Air Force Fighter Jet mistakenly killed scores of people in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in the Northeast.
According to NAF, the fighter jet was on a mission against the Boko Haram insurgents when it accidentally struck the camp.
An initial 52 persons were reported to have lost their lives in the accidental attack, however days after, the number of fatalities grew to over 115 persons.
