Our airstrikes not targeted at civilians – Military
The military high command says all the airstrikes that have been released so far on the criminals terrorising the country by the troops of the Nigerian Air Force attached to various theatres of operations are not targeted at civilians. It also urged communities to allow military investigations before concluding on the nature of any military […]
The military high command says all the airstrikes that have been released so far on the criminals terrorising the country by the troops of the Nigerian Air Force attached to various theatres of operations are not targeted at civilians.
It also urged communities to allow military investigations before concluding on the nature of any military airstrikes, while calling for patience and cooperation in verifying outcome of all air incidents.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, stated this on Arise TV Morning Show monitored by our correspondent while reacting to the recent accidental killing of over 10 civilians in Zamfara on Saturday.
Musa, who explained that the military followed strict protocols before executing any airstrike across the various theaters of operations, emphasised that the military conducts its airstrikes with precision.
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According to him, civilians are not deliberately targeted, adding that secondary explosions in areas where insurgents store weapons and explosives could have affected the citizens.
The defence chief further noted that the accidental killing allegations might be antics to demoralise troops, adding that most of the allegations come when the military are making headway.
Musa called for patience and cooperation in verifying such incidents, urging communities to allow military investigations before concluding on the nature of any airstrike.
Also speaking on the tactics employed by terrorists in their bid to perpetuate violence, the CDS disclosed that the terrorists systematically impregnate women to create a new generation of fighters.
According to Musa, terrorists previously relied on capturing communities and forcibly recruiting men, but the loss of their territories has forced them to adopt a different approach.
The CDS added that this was evident in the number of those who surrendered to troops, noting that out of 120,000 half were children.
He expressed concern that such children would be more brutal and perpetrate heinous crime than their parents if not tamed.
Speaking further, Musa said the federal government was collaborating with international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union to disrupt terrorism financing in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, authorities of the Nigerian Air Force have deployed some of its personnel from the headquarters in Abuja to Zamfara State to investigate reported killing of civilians in the recent airstrikes carried out in the state.
The team, which was dispatched by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, will be led by the Director of Coordination and Cooperation (DCC) in the Civil-Military Relations Branch of NAF Headquarters, Edward Gabkwet.
The spokesman for the force, Olusola Akinboyewa said Gabkwet-led team is expected to liaise and interface with state and local government officials as well as all other critical stakeholders.
This, he said, was for a holistic assessment of the situation with a view to driving the appropriate response, adding that the team would provide a detailed report for further action after their assignment.