NAF probes accidental airstrike on Yobe community

By Nicholas Kalu, Abuja and Duku Joel, Damaturu

• Buni commiserates with victims

The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has admitted that its aircraft bombed Buhari Village in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State and killed 10 people while over 20 others were hospitalised.

Residents and vigilantes had initially claimed that a Nigerien aircraft carried out he airstrike.

The initial tweet in response to reports of the attack read: “This tweet is false in its entirety. The NAF last conducted a mission into Yobe State (not Yunusari LGA) on September 5, 2021 and it was an armed recce. No bomb or missile was even expended. Thanks.”

But 24 hours after, NAF took responsibility for the incident, admitting in a statement by its spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet that the service carried out the airstrike.

The statement reads: “Following intelligence on Boko Haram/ISWAP movements along the Kamadougou Yobe River line, an aircraft from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was detailed to respond to the suspected terrorists’ activities in the area along the Nigeria/Niger border around 0600 hours (6 a.m) on September 15, 2021.

Read Also; Nigerien airstrike kills 10, injures 20 in Yobe

“The aircraft, while operating South of Kanama, observed suspicious movement consistent with Boko Haram terrorists’ behaviour 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 Boko Haram/ISWAP activities. Unfortunately, reports reaching NAF headquarters alleged that some civilians were erroneously killed while others were injured.

“Initial release denying the involvement of NAF aircraft was based on the first report available to the Air Component, which was subsequently forwarded to NAF headquarters that civilians were bombed as the aircraft detailed for the mission was not carrying bombs.

“Therefore, a Board of Enquiry has been set up to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the incident.”

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has commiserated with families of the victims of the airstrike.

A statement by the Director General of Press Affairs to the Governor, Alhaji Mamman Muhammad, called for a full investigation into the incident to forestall a recurrence.

The governor also directed his Special Adviser on Security Affairs to liaise with NAF and the Multi-National Joint Task Force for details on the incident.