People walk at the site after a bombing attack of an internally displaced persons camp in Rann, Nigeria January 17, 2017. MSF/Handout via ReutersThe Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has constituted a board of senior officers to investigate the accidental air strike on 17 January 2017 at Rann, Borno State that killed over 70 people and injured more than a hundred.
The Nigerian Air Force had earlier said it thought it was bombing Boko Haram positions when it hit an internally displaced persons’ camp in Rann, Borno state two days ago.
The Board set up to investigate the bombing is to determine the immediate and remote causes as well as the circumstances that led to the incident.
“This is with a view to forestall future occurrence,” said Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, the Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force.
“In addition to a list of 20 witnesses given to it, the Board is free to invite other persons to give evidence on oath. The Board is to submit its report not later than 2 February 2017,” he added.
The 6-man Board is headed by the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Salihu Bala-Ribah. Other members are Air Vice Marshal Charles Oghomwen, Air Commodore Ayoola Jolasinmi, Group Captain Essien Efanga, Wing Commander Solomon Irmiya and Wing Commander Mohammed Muazu.