By Ayodele Oni
The Nigerian Airforce fact-finding team has arrived Zamfara State to fully investigate reported incidence of civilian casualties during recent Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes and provide a detailed report for further action.
The team was deployed by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, following Sunday report that there were civilian casualties during the air bombardment of identified based of bandits.
The airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Zamfara state had mistakenly struck members of the Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), local vigilantes, and residents in Tungar Kara, a village in Maradun Local Government Area leaving at least 20 persons dead.
The state government has also confirmed the incident on Monday.
A press statement, signed by Director Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola F Akinboyewa stated that the team, led by Air Vice Marshal Edward K Gabkwet, Director of Coordination and Cooperation (DCC) in the Civil-Military Relations Branch of NAF Headquarters, will liaise and interface with State and Local Government officials as well as all other critical stakeholders, for a holistic assessment of the situation with a view to driving the appropriate response.
“The CAS wishes to reiterate the NAF’s commitment to the highest level of professionalism and transparency in the conduct of operations, in line with appropriate global standards.
“Our absolute value for the life and well-being of every Nigerian remains an integral part of the ethos of the Service, as we sustain the effort to defeat all threats to our nation’s peace, security and prosperity.
“Mindful also of the need to maintain public trust, which is germane to our operational effectiveness, we enjoin all stakeholders to rest assured that the NAF will continue to refine its operational procedures to ensure mission accomplishment, while protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
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