Army investigates alleged bombing of civilians in Borno

The Nigerian Military High Command said yesterday it has launched an investigation into an alleged bombing of civilians by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno State.

It said the bombing of Shokotoko village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State inadvertently killed some civilians. The war update by the military, however, said the air strike was based on credible intelligence reports provided by land forces and other security agencies, which indicated that the target was a legitimate one occupied by terrorists.

The update signed by the Coordinator of the Directorate of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, said pilots of the Nigeria Air Force by training do not attack any location occupied by non-combatants.

“The attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has been drawn to some media reports indicating that air strikes conducted by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole at Shokotoko Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State on Thursday, April 9, 2020, inadvertently led to the deaths of some civilians.

“The operation, which was conducted on the night of 9 April and early hours of April 10, 2020, was based on credible intelligence reports, obtained from land forces and other security agencies as well as reliable, vetted informants, which confirmed that the target location was occupied solely by Boko Haram Terrorists,” it said.

The update noted that “as customary, the attack helicopter that executed the mission was accompanied by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to ensure proper targeting for avoidance of collateral damage”.

The statement further maintained that “Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots, by training and in line with extant Rules of Engagement (ROEs) for the operation, do not attack any location if it is observed that non-combatants, especially women and children, are present.

“In such cases, the pilots would rather return to base with their munitions unexpended. Consequently, on the strength of the foregoing, the location was considered a legitimate target”.

(Credit: THISDAY)