The Nigerian Air force has said that reports in certain quarters alleging that its fighter aircraft bombed and killed innocent civilians during strikes against armed bandits camps and hideouts in Zamfara State North-West Nigeria are inconceivable as both human intelligence and air surveillance intelligence are carried out before such strikes.
According to a statement by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, Director of NAF Public Relations entitled Alleged Bombing of Wrong Settlements by NAF.
The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to some media reports insinuating that the recent air strikes conducted by its Air Task Force for Operation Diran Mikiya killed only innocent civilians in the areas attacked and not bandits.
The NAF finds such reports rather ridiculous because most of the locations attacked are within the Rugu, Sububu and Kagara Forests general area, which are known armed bandit’s hideouts that have been attacked in the past, without any outcry.
For the avoidance of doubts, the public is to please note that the locations attacked from 8 to 11 April 2019 were selected based on human intelligence (HUMINT) reports obtained from security agencies and other government sources, traditional and community leaders as well as reliable, vetted informants.
These were all further confirmed by days of detailed day and night Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to ensure proper targeting for avoidance of collateral damage.
In this regard, the NAF hereby advocates public support, and not distracting and unsubstantiated allegations, as its personnel continue to sacrifice towards eliminating all threats to the security and, indeed, the development of our beloved Country.