Nigerian Air Force Finally Admits Killing 11 Citizens With Airstrike In Yobe Village

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has finally admitted ‘accidentally’ killing nine people during a bombardment in Buhari community, Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

KanyiDaily recalls that a fighter jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force had mistakenly killed nine people with airstrikes at Buhari community in the early hours of Wednesday.

It was gathered that over 30 villagers sustained injuries during the airstrikes and they are now receiving medical attention at a government health facility in Geidam.

But in a statement on Wednesday, the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, denied reports linking one of its fighter jets to the bombing.

“This tweet is false in its entirety. The NAF last conducted a mission in Yobe State (not Yunusari LGA) on September 5, 2021, and it was an armed recce. No bomb or missile was even expended,” the statement reads.

NAF Admits ‘Accidentally’ Bombing Citizens In Yobe

In a statement on Thursday, the NAF spokesman said that the “initial (Press) release denying the involvement of NAF aircraft was based on the first report available” at the time.

Gabkwet said the pilot of the NAF fighter jet observed suspicious movement consistent with Boko Haram in the area and fired some probing shots which accidentally killed civilians and injured others.

“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 terrorist activities in the area along the Nigeria/Niger border at about 0600hrs on 15 September 2021.

“The aircraft, while operating South of Kanama, observed suspicious movement consistent with Boko Haram terrorist 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 Nigerian Air Force 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 Inquiry has been set up to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the incident,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni has commiserated with families of Buhari villagers who were bombed to death by a Nigerian Air Force jet.