The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has task high delegation team to Zamfara State for an investigation over the incident of alleged bombing of civilian during Saturday’s operation by NAF in the state. According to the report, the incident happened in Kakindawa village, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where 16 vigilantes were said to have killed.
As narrated by an eye witness, the incident occurred on Saturday evening when the village’s vigilante group was on its way to assist neighbours in Tungar Kara village, who had been attacked by bandits.
Zamfara State government and the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state also confirmed the accidental bombing and commiserated with the families of the victims.
Contained in a statement, NAF said the fact-finding team is being led by Air Vice Marshal Edward K. Gabkwet, Director of Coordination and Cooperation in the Civil-Military Relations Branch of NAF Headquarters.
The team has been tasked to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and identify all facts that collimated into it.
The spokesperson of NAF, AVM Olusola Akinboyewa, stated that the team would engage with state and local government officials, as well as other critical stakeholders, to gather a comprehensive understanding of the events.
Akinboyewa said, “Concerned about the reported incidence of civilian casualties in the recent NAF airstrikes in Zamfara State, the CAS, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has dispatched a fact-finding team to Zamfara to fully investigate the incident and provide a detailed report for further action.
“The team, led by AVM Edward Gabkwet, 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.”
He added that the CAS was committed to the highest level of professionalism until all facts are unveil.
He said, “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.”
The incident is coming only few weeks after the Christmas Day accidental bombing of civilians in two communities in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State by the same Nigerian Air Force.
An airstrike, intended to neutralise Lakurawa terrorists, mistakenly hit Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities, killing at least 10 villagers and leaving several others wounded