NAF Light Aircraft Display
NAF Light Aircraft Display
Zamfara Banditry: NAF Deploys ISR, Humint for Airstrike
on Targets
The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to
some media reports insinuating that the recent air strikes
conducted by its Air Task Force for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA killed
only innocent civilians in the areas attacked and not bandits.
The NAF finds such reports rather ridiculous because most of the
locations attacked are within the Rugu, Sububu and Kagara Forests
general area, which are known armed bandits hideouts that have been
attacked in the past, without any outcry.
Besides, the NAF target selection process for air operations is
particularly rigorous and methodical in order to ensure proper
target identification and thereby prevent strikes on wrong
locations.
For the avoidance of doubts, the public is to please note that
the locations attacked from 8 to 11 April 2019 were selected based
on human intelligence (HUMINT) reports obtained from security
agencies and other government sources, traditional and community
leaders as well as reliable, vetted informants.
These were all further confirmed by days of detailed day and
night Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions
to ensure proper targeting for avoidance of collateral damage.
To further ensure this, as standard practice, NAF attack
aircraft on air interdiction missions are accompanied by ISR
platforms that guide them to designated targets.
Furthermore, 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, it is inconceivable that the
NAF would attack locations where innocent civilians reside.
In view of the foregoing, the NAF finds it rather mischievous
that anyone would spread such deliberate misinformation whilst the
Service is doing its best to effectively respond to the challenges
facing the good people of Zamfara State and its environs.
Rather than making such spurious and unsubstantiated
allegations, NAF requests that anyone with evidence to the effect
that innocent civilians were targeted by the NAF air strikes should
produce such evidence.
The NAF, as a professional Service, would not want to join
issues with any group of individuals, including traditional rulers,
but will rather remain committed to ensuring the safety and
security of all Nigerians.
Accordingly, we shall continue to work assiduously, in synergy
with sister Services and other security agencies, to rid the
Northwest of all criminal elements. The general public can
therefore rest assured that the NAF will not be deterred but will
sustain its air operations to facilitate a return to normalcy that
would enable Nigerians in the area pursue their legitimate
aspirations.
In this regard, the NAF hereby advocates public support, and not
distracting and unsubstantiated allegations, as its personnel
continue to sacrifice towards eliminating all threats to the
security and, indeed, the development of our beloved Country.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force