The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has stated categorically that the airstrike executed by its fighter jets in Genu, Niger State didn’t affect any civilian population in the area.
NAF in a reaction through its spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet to reports that some wedding guests were killed during an airstrike targeted at bandits in the area said no civilian casualty was recorded during the operation.
As earlier reported by TrackNews Online air bombardments from the NAF jet hit several the targeted bandits in Genu who were attempting to flee with some rustled animals.
It was gathered that the fighter jet was scrambled from Katsina State based on credible information to intercept the bandits.
While the bombs hit the targeted bandits, one of the bombs allegedly fell on a wedding party in Argida village, killing two villagers while many wedding guests were also injured, an eyewitness claimed.
But when contacted on the development, the NAF spokesperson said he has no record of any civilian casualty during the airstrikes, apart from the bandits.
“We undertook a mission to the northern part of Genu after receiving information that scores of bandits were gathered around the area with bikes and vehicles,” he said.
“We found out it was very credible information, so our aircraft were dispatched to the area.
“We have not had any complaints from anywhere other than what we are reading on papers. All we know is, through the efforts of our pilot and preciseness of their strikes, those bandits were neutralized.
“We were able to hit our target which is important so that people can go about their lives in peace and go about their business without being threatened or put in harm’s way,” he said.
