Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has dismissed allegations making the rounds that its airstrikes on terrorist hideouts, including areas linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, resulted in the death of civilian in Zamfara State.
Reports over the weekend had suggested that about 16 vigilantes were killed during operations, which targetted bandits in Tungar Kara, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Recall that a counter-security expert, Zagazola Makama, had claimed in an early Sunday report that members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG) were among those killed during the airstrike.
But the NAF spokesperson, AVM Akinboyewa has refuted the claim. He said, “We take every precaution to prevent harm to civilians during operations. The reports may be propaganda from terrorists seeking to undermine the military’s success.”
Akinboyewa, however, confirmed that an investigation is underway to ascertain the truth of these claims. He emphasized that no credible evidence supports reports of civilian casualties.
“Our operations are guided by reliable intelligence from multiple verifiable sources. And no civilian casualties have been confirmed at this time,” he added.
In a statement by NAF titled, “NAF Conducts Decisive Air Strikes in Zamfara, Investigating Vigilante Casualty Reports.” debunked the allegation.
The statement noted that the recent strikes in Tungar Kara successfully neutralized bandits and rescued kidnap victims. It also emphasized NAF’s commitment to civilian safety and security during its operations.
In a show of support, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal commended NAF’s renewed efforts against banditry in the State. The Governor, however, extended his condolences to families of civilian victims mistakenly affected by the airstrike.
This was contained in a statement released by Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Sulaiman Idris. Lawal acknowledged the tragic misidentification of vigilantes as fleeing bandits.
The Governor reaffirmed his support for military operations to restore peace in the region. While underscoring the importance of civilian safety.
source: Vanguard
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