The Chief of the Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has dispatched a fact-finding team to Zamfara over reports of civilian casualties in the recent Nigerian Air Force, NAF, airstrikes in the state.
Air Vice Marshal Olusola F Akinboyewa, Director Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, in a statement on Monday, said the fact-finding team is led by Air Vice Marshal Edward K Gabkwet, Director of Coordination and Cooperation, DCC, in the Civil-Military Relations Branch of NAF Headquarters.
The team will liaise and interface with state and local government officials as well as all other critical stakeholders for a holistic assessment of the situation with a view to driving the appropriate response.
“The CAS wishes to reiterate the NAF’s commitment to the highest level of professionalism and transparency in the conduct of operations, in line with appropriate global standards.
“Our absolute value for the life and well-being of every Nigerian remains an integral part of the ethos of the Service, as we sustain the effort to defeat all threats to our nation’s peace, security and prosperity.
“Mindful also of the need to maintain public trust, which is germane to our operational effectiveness,” the statement added.
The statement enjoined all stakeholders to be rest assured that the NAF will continue to refine its operational procedures to ensure mission accomplishment, while protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
