Alleged killing of civilians in Kaduna airstrike: NAF orders thorough investigation, insists terrorists logistics base was destroyed

The Nigerian Airforce has ordered a thorough investigation into last Friday's air strike on a terrorist logistics base at Giwa Community in Kaduna State, which some locals have claimed killed innocent villagers and not terrorists.

A statement by Group Captain Kabiru Ali, Deputy Director, NAF Public Relations and Information titled, "Re: NAF AIirstrikes at Giwa LGA, Kaduna State" made this known on Monday

It said, "The attention of the Nigerian Air Force has been drawn to reports of alleged civilian casualties following the successful airstrike on a terrorist enclave in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State. 

"The airstrike on the location was based on credible intelligence from numerous reliable sources, as well as confirmatory surveillance of the target area before the strike. 

"The said location has been notorious as a terrorist enclave for over 2 years and the successful airstrike would no doubt go a long way in minimizing banditry, kidnapping and similar attacks on innocent civilians in Kaduna State and environs. 

"Nevertheless, the NAF is not taking these allegations lightly, as its focus is to always achieve the desired operational objective without collateral damage. 

"Accordingly, a thorough investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain the facts with a view to keeping the populace informed in due course. 

The Nigerian Air Force had said it's aircraft under the aegis of Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP) last Friday destroyed a terrorist's logistics base at Yadi Forest in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State. 

A statement by Group Captain Kabiru Ali had said, "The operation was executed on Friday, following credible intelligence reports indicating huge presence of terrorists and their weapons cache in the Yadi Forest". 

"Intensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance confirmed the consistent presence of terrorists and their motorcycles at the location. 

"Additional intelligence revealed that the logistics base belonged to the notorious terrorist kingpin Kadage Gurgu, a close ally of Dogo Gide. 

"Furthermore, available intelligence at the disposal of the NAF Air Component revealed that Kadage Gurgu has been providing shelter for notorious terrorist kingpins following the aggressive military operations in Sokoto and Zamfara State. 

"Accordingly, the Air Component dispatched an aircraft, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, to attack the target. 

"The target area initially appeared uninhabited. However, as the aircraft approached, some of the terrorists were seen emerging from under the shrubbery and running away from the area.

 "Subsequently, the target were engaged recording successful hits on the logistics facility, which was engulfed in flames with thick black smoke seen. 

"Reports from independent sources, including local informants around the general area, later confirmed that the logistics base was totally destroyed and scores of terrorists were killed as a result of the attack. 

"The Nigerian Air Force, in collaboration with surface forces, will continue to dominate the battlespace through extensive situational awareness, constant patrols, and targeted interdiction of bandits’ safe havens within its area of responsibility and neighbouring states. 

'This aims to decimate and flush out terrorism and criminal activities within the Northwest and North Central regions."