NAF Investigates 20 Soldiers’ Death In Aerial Strike

At least 20 soldiers have been feared killed in an aerial attack meant to neutralise Boko Haram/Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP).

The Nigerian Air Force through its official Twitter account said it was investigating visuals and reports being circulated in the media space for their authenticity and further action.

According to the tweet; “The attention of the @NigAirForce has been drawn to reports alleging ‘How NAF killed over 20 Nigerian Army Personnel by Accident in Air Strike’ at Mainok which is about 55km to Maiduguri.

“The NAF wishes to state that visuals and reports being circulated are currently being investigated and the general public will be duly updated on the alleged incident.

“All inquiries should please be directed to the Office of the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force or forwarded to info@airforce.mil.ng.”

The Nation newspaper quoted a soldier as saying that the airstrike was carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jet which mistook the gun truck carrying the troops for terrorists.

It was gathered that the terrorists, who invaded Mainok, Borno State in a convoy of four MRAPs, a scorpion Armoured Personnel Carrier and several gun trucks, had disguised as friendly forces on Sunday night before dislodging troops of 156 Battalion and setting their camp ablaze.

The reports showed a soldier in a 14-second video, who narrated how the aerial attack happened, stating that they were shelled in error by the NAF jet

“The Boko Haram terrorists disguised in military uniform and gained access to the camp. They came in different groups and could not be counted. The Nigerian Army was pinned down, they requested reinforcement, the reinforcement got on their way only to get shelled by the Nigerian Airforce.

“The (reinforcement team) was coming from Ngandu when they were killed by the airstrike targeted at Boko Haram. “The Boko Haram were dressed in military uniform and carried high calibre military weapons,” the Nation quoted a source.