The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed a fact-finding team to probe the alleged accidental bombing of civilians in Zamfara State on Saturday.
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, has inspected and liaised with state and local government officials and other stakeholders “for a holistic assessment of the situation to drive the appropriate response.”
NAF’s spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, announced this in a statement on Monday, January 13.
The statement said: “Concerned about the reported incidence of civilian casualties in the recent Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes in Zamfara State, the Chief of the Air Staff (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.
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“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 other critical stakeholders for a holistic assessment of the situation to drive the appropriate response.
According to the statement, the CAS reiterates the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force 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,” the statement said.
“…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.”