Yobe Killings: After Initial Denial, NAF Sets Up Commission Of Inquiry

By Uche Mbah

A Commission of Inquiry has been set up by the Nigeria Air Force to investigate the incident of spillover of targeted attacks on civilians in “Buhari Village”, Yobe state, a border village to the Niger Republic.

The village is in the Yunusari Local Government Area of the state.

Agency reports indicate that Yunusari, which shares an international border with the Niger Republic has an area of 3,790 km2 and a population of 125,821 according to the 2006 census.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Thursday, in Abuja, released a statement saying that the initial release denying the involvement of NAF aircraft was based on the first report available to the Air Component.

“Following intelligence on insurgents movements along the Kamadougou Yobe River line, an aircraft from the Air Component of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ was detailed to respond to the suspected insurgents’ activities in the area along the Nigeria/Niger border at about 0600hrs on Sept 15″, he said.

“The aircraft while operating South of Kanama observed suspicious movement consistent with insurgent’s behavior 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 insurgents activities.

“But unfortunately, reports reaching NAF Headquarters alleged that some civilians were erroneously killed while others were injured.”

According to him, the report stated that civilians were not bombed as the aircraft detailed for the mission was not carrying bombs.

Meanwhile, Gov. Mai Mala-Buni of Yobe has directed Government hospitals in Geidam and Damaturu to offer free medical services to those who sustained injuries in the  incident.

This was contained in a statement by Mr Buni’s spokesperson, Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu Thursday.

Buni also directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide relief materials to victims.