Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied reports linking one of its fighter jets to the bombing of a community in Yobe State.
In a statement on Wednesday, the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet explained that the agency last conducted a mission in Yobe State earlier in the month.
He said;
NAF last conducted a mission into Yobe State (Not Yunusari LGA) on 5 September 2021 and it was an armed recce. No bomb or missile was even expended.
Also, another Air Force officer who spoke to The Punch on the condition of anonymity revealed that Nigerian Air Force has commenced investigation on the incident.
The officer noted;
The NAF is conducting an investigation on the alleged airstrike on ISWAP’s location which killed some residents and left many, including women and children injured in Garin, Buhari in Yunusari Local Government area of Yobe State.
The source stated further that though he is aware the military has successfully bombarded locations suspected to be harbouring the terrorists recently in that axis, he cannot ascertain if any civilian population was affected in the cause of the operation.
NAF’s statement came hours after residents of Buwari community in Yunusari Local Government Area said several persons had been killed and others injured in the reported bombardment.
According to ChannelsTV, a source in the community explained that those injured in the incident are receiving treatment at the General Hospitals in Geidam and Gashua.
Another source, Haruna Ali, said that three Toyota Hilux brought the injured victims to Geidam General Hospital.
The community is located 20 kilometres away from Kannamma, the headquarters of Yunusari Local Government Area of the North East state.
Yobe, and other states in the North East have been battling insurgency for the last decade with many killed and others rendered homeless.
Although critics say the war against insurgency is far from over, the Federal Government and security agencies maintain that the country is recording successes in the region.
According to the Nigerian Army, the insurgents are surrendering in droves due to sustained onslaught from security operatives.
However, as security forces continue to battle the criminals, calls to grant them amnesty have sharply divided opinion in the country.
