The attention of the Nigerian Air Force
has been drawn to the latest video released online by the Boko Haram
Terrorists (BHT) group alleging the killing of some of the abducted
Chibok schoolgirls by Nigerian Air Force fighter jets.
It is pertinent to state that the video
is not only a ruse but another mischievous effort by the dying sect to
draw public attention to itself. Whereas the video showed a cross
section of the abducted girls and an airborne aircraft, it provided no
evidence that the supposed casualties were as a result of any air to
ground attack.
More so, there is sufficient evidence to
believe that the casualties were arranged as the positioning of the
bodies clearly defiles any natural setting of a location that has
undergone aerial bombardment.
Besides, the impact and accompanying
degree of damage to the bodies would have been more, were they to have
died from air strike.
It is therefore clear that the video is a
make-up story to discredit the NAF, and more importantly, a deliberate
effort to weep up sentiment among the public in order to dissuade and
discontinue the use of airpower which has proved very effective as the
major determinant factor in the successes recorded in the ongoing
counterinsurgency operations in the North East.
The NAF has put-in place a number of measures to avoid the incidence of collateral damage.
To this end, considerable effort is
committed to undertaking Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
(ISR) missions, both day and night, to ensure that only legitimate
military targets are engaged.
Besides, NAF ISR platforms carry highly
sophisticated equipment on-board which are able to provide pin-point
accurate intelligence about target location and description as depicted
in the enclosed video on our ISR operations. And where there are doubts
about target status, we do not undertake strike missions. In any case,
the NAF, being a professional fighting force, has not and will not
engage in unprofessional practices in discharging its statutory duties.
The NAF will like to assure Nigerians, living within the vicinity of its operations, of their safety.
While urging them also to disregard the
BHT video as a mere propaganda, the NAF wishes to use this opportunity
to restate its commitment to restoration of peace in the North East and
other troubled areas in the country.
You are please required to disseminate
this information in your mass media for the awareness of the general
public. Thank you for your usual support and cooperation.
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