The Nigerian Army has denied killing any civilian during the air strike conducted by the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole at Shokotoko village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State last Thursday.
According to the army, it had acted on “credible intelligence reports” which confirmed that target location was solely occupied Boko Haram fighters.
Recall that reports on Tuesday claimed that no fewer than 13 civilians were killed in the air raid as the Nigerian Military repelled an attack by the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) in the State.
However, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operation, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, in a statement refuted the claims.
He insisted that every precaution was taken to avoid collateral damages.
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The statement that read: “The attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has been drawn to some media reports indicating that airstrikes conducted by the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE at Shokotoko Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State on Thursday, 9 April 2020, inadvertently led to the deaths of some civilians. For the avoidance of doubts, the AFN wishes to clarify the facts as given below:
“The operation, which was conducted on the night of 9 April and early hours of 10 April 2020, was based on credible intelligence reports, obtained from land forces and other security agencies as well as reliable, vetted informants, which confirmed that the target location was occupied solely by Boko Haram Terrorists.
“Moreover, as customary, the attack helicopter that executed the mission was accompanied by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to ensure proper targeting for avoidance of collateral damage.
“Besides, it must be noted that, Nigerian Air Force (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, on the strength of the foregoing, the location was considered a legitimate target”.
