The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has refuted claims of conducting air operations in Kaduna State, following reports that a military air operation resulted in the tragic death of over 30 civilians on Sunday.
The NAF categorically denied any involvement in the reported incident, asserting that it had not carried out air operations within Kaduna State and its surroundings in the past 24 hours.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information for NAF, Edward Gabkwet, the force dismissed the allegations surrounding the purported accidental killing of innocent civilians in Kaduna.
The statement urged the public to disregard the circulating news, emphasizing that NAF had not been engaged in any air operations in the specified region during the mentioned timeframe.
“The news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft accidentally killed innocent civilians in Kaduna is false. Please be informed that the NAF has not carried out any air operations within Kaduna State and its environs in the last 24 hours,” the statement clarified.
The NAF further highlighted that it is not the exclusive entity operating combat armed drones in the North-western region of Nigeria, hinting at the presence of other organizations with similar capabilities.
“It is also important to ensure that due diligence is always exhausted by the media before going to press with unverified and unconfirmed reports,” the statement emphasized.