No fewer than 20 soldiers have been reportedly killed by Nigerian Air Force fighter jet on a mission against Boko Haram terrorists.
It was gathered that the operatives of the Nigerian Army were mistakenly killed by the fighter jet during a mission against the insurgents on Sunday.
The soldiers were said to be reinforced from Ngandu village to Mainok, the headquarters of the Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State when they were mistakenly bombed by an Air Force fighter jet.
Mainok has been under attack by the Boko Haram terrorists.
A military source disclosed that “The Boko Haram terrorists disguised in military uniform and gained access to the camp.
They came in different groups and could not be counted. The Nigerian Army were pinned down, they requested for reinforcement, the reinforcement got on their way only to get smoked by the Nigerian Airforce.
“The (reinforcement team) was coming from Ngandu and were killed by an airstrike. The Air Force mistook them for Boko Haram as both were cladded in similar military uniform and operational vehicles.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has reacted to the alleged airstrike on the operatives of the Nigerian Army.
The Air Force via its official Twitter account said it was investigating the incident, adding that the general public will be duly updated as soon as the investigation is concluded.
The NAF tweeted, “The attention of the @NigAirForce has been drawn to reports alleging “How NAF Killed over 20 Nigerian Army Personnel by Accident in Air Strike” at Mainok which is about 55km to Maiduguri.
“The NAF wishes to state that visuals and reports been circulated are being investigated and the general public will be duly updated on the alleged incident.
“All enquiries should please be directed to the Office of the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force.”
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