‘We Don’t Flog Civilians No Matter The Provocation’ – Nigerian Airforce

‘We Don’t Flog Civilians No Matter The Provocation’ – Nigerian Airforce

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it would take action against any of
its officers caught engaging in acts that disrespect and violate human
rights.  

The NAF said this in response to reports that some NAF personnel were
involved in flogging and physical assault of suspected bandits by some
military personnel in Zamfara State. A video that went viral on social
media showed some military personnel flogging suspected armed bandits at
Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) in Zamfara State.  

However, while confirming that its officers were involved, Air
Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, spokesperson of NAF, said its officers are
always directed to “respect the rights of innocent civilians as well as
captured combatants, no matter the provocation”.  

A statement issued on Saturday by Daramola read: “The NAF has
discovered that some of its personnel were part of the joint team
stationed at the Galadi Sub-Sector at the time.  “Our personnel have
always been directed to respect the rights of innocent civilians as well
as captured combatants, no matter the provocation.

“The joint team had, sequel to intelligence reports, intercepted a
group of suspected armed bandits, including some fighters from across
the border, at their Sububu Forest hideout whilst they were on the verge
of executing an attack against innocent civilians in Shinkafi. In the
process, the team recovered one AK-47 rifle along with 3 loaded
magazines and 3 dane guns from the bandits.  

“In an effort to obtain further information on the criminals’ plans
and the location of their armoury, the troops employed unauthorized,
crude corporal methods. “The public is to please note that the NAF has
zero tolerance for such human rights violations and has since initiated
appropriate action to address the anomaly.  

“In this regard, a Board of Inquiry (BOI) has been set up by the
Headquarters Special Operations Command (HQ SOC) to determine the remote
and immediate causes of the incident with a view to ensuring that
appropriate disciplinary action is taken against all NAF personnel found
culpable.”  

Air Commodore Daramola maintained that NAF would continue to uphold
rights of every Nigerian and operate within the law at all times.  He
said: “The NAF, as an organisation, remains a professional fighting
force that would continue to operate within the ambit of all relevant
laws and procedures.”