Death of Officer, 8 Soldiers by Boko Haram: Alleged Inaction of NAF as Cause, Untrue, ill-Motivated – DHQ.

The Defence headquarters has cleared the Nigerian Airforce of any blame in the ambush attack launched by Boko Haram terrorists’ on an Army location in Yobe State which resulted in the death of an officer and eight soldiers last week.

It made the clarification in a statement signed by Major General John Enenche, Director of Defence Information and titled ‘Re- How Inaction by NAF Caused Untimely Death of Army Officer, 8 Soldiers in Yobe Boko Haram Attack’

It said, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a falsehood published in some online media that the inaction of Nigerian Air Force caused untimely death of an army officer and 8 soldiers, in Yobe Boko Haram attack.

“The ill motivated news against the Nigerian Air Force in particular and the Military in general should be disregarded by the general public as it lacks merit.

“It should be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force conducted Operation Ruwan Wuta 1 in September this year in support of the Nigerian Army, which recorded massive successes in further eliminating remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists in the North East.

“As a result, the Air Force re-strategized and embarked on operations ‘Ruwan Wuta II’ which is on-going alongside clearance operations with the Nigerian Army, all under Operation Lafiya Dole.

“Hence, it is not possible for the Nigerian Air Force to refuse to provide air cover to the Nigerian Army at this moment of its peak air activity.

“The Nigeria Army, Navy and Air Force have always been operating jointly and equally synergized in their common spheres of influence to bring the necessary force to bear, on all targets in operations and battle field.

“Therefore, the ill motivated story should be discarded.”

John Enenche

Major General

Director Defence Information