The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said it is currently investigating the reports of alleged killing of over 20 Nigerian Army personnel in an air strike at Mainok, which is about 55km to Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to reports, the soldiers, who were reinforced from Ngandu village, were said to be on their way to Mainok, headquarters of the Kaga Local Government Area of the State.
The area was under attack by militants from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād; hence the reinforcement.
A source told SaharaReporters that the reinforcement team of the Nigerian Army sent to the community was mistakenly bombed by an Air Force fighter 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 were pinned down, they requested for reinforcement, the reinforcement got on their way only to get smoked by the Nigerian Airforce.
“The (reinforcement team) was coming from Ngandu and were killed by an airstrike. The Air Force mistook them for Boko Haram as both were cladded in similar military uniform and operational vehicles,” the source said.
Meanwhile, NAF has said Investigation into the alleged incident has started.
“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 being investigated and the generally public will be duly updated on the alleged incident.
“All enquiries should please be directed to the Office of the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force or forwarded to [email protected],” a statement by NAF reads.
