The Nigerian Air Force says, Like all military organizations involved in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, incidences of fatalities, mishaps and crashes are sometimes inevitable
A Statement by the spokepersons Air commodore Edward Gabkwet says it is necessary to address the propaganda as it’s attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media platforms allegedly depicting the wreckage of the crashed MI-171 helicopter with bodies of victims at Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
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The statement adds that For the NAF, the last 8 years has seen an increased level of air operations in efforts at checkmating the nefarious activities of terrorists and criminal elements in the country. With heightened levels of air operations, occasioned by an enhanced fleet, and so the likelihood of air mishaps and accidents at times becomes unavoidable and inevitable due to various reasons.
As reiterated by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar when he hosted Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, yesterday 15 August 2023,
it further says While the NAF regrets such unfortunate incidents, especially as they involve the loss of lives of colleagues, the Service will never shy away from unravelling the probable cause of the crash with a view to drawing lessons.
The NAF urged those aiding and abetting the propaganda tendencies of terrorists, deliberately or inadvertently, by spreading the videos of the alleged crash site with gory pictures of dead military personnel, to rethink the consequences of their actions on the morale of troops, families of deceased personnel as well as on Nigeria’s national security which is imperative.
For the NAF and indeed the entire members of the Armed Forces, our resolve and determination to bring the current security situation in Niger State and indeed all troubled spots in the country remains unshaken. Infact, if anything, we are determined more than ever before, to take on the enemy frontally until they are brought to their knees.
The force While calling on all Nigerians to continue to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, also appreciated the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his message of condolence and words of encouragement, as well as other well-meaning Nigerians for their support.
We shall not give in to Terrorists’ Propaganda
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
