Air Force debunks N20m payment to bandits for weapons

The Nigerian Air Force on Sunday said that the Force did not make payment of N20 million to bandits in Jibia, Katsina State, for the retrieval of an anti-aircraft gun the bandits took away from the Nigerian Army. The Air Force said the report is false and should be dismissed as fake news.

The Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, a statement noted that the attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to news reports circulating on some media platforms alleging that the NAF, through one of its personnel, paid the sum of N20 million to armed bandits operating in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun allegedly seized. He maintained that the report went on to state that the reason behind the payment was to retrieve the anti-aircraft gun which, it alleged, the NAF feared could be used against aircraft operating within Katsina State.

The Wall Street Journal had on Sunday revealed that the Nigerian Air Force made the N20 million payment towards the arrangement for President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Katsina State, his home. The state has been troubled by bandits ravaging the northwest.

The NAF, however, categorically declared: “there is absolutely no iota of truth in the spurious allegation that was undoubtedly designed to cast aspersions on the good image of the Service.

“The said report is totally false. It should, therefore, be taken as fake news and disregarded. “Indeed, we ordinarily would not have responded to such baseless and utterly illogical allegation but for the need to set the record straight as well as reaffirm the NAF’s unflinching commitment to decisively dealing with the armed bandits and all other criminal elements in the country in partnership with other services of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.”

According to the Director, “for the avoidance of doubt, it must be stated that there is no basis for the NAF to pay bandits or any criminal elements that it has continued to attack and decimate in Katsina State, other parts of the North-West, as well as other Theatres of Operation in the Country.

“Indeed, as recently as 12 October 2021, NAF aircraft conducted 5 missions in the Jibia general area and engaged targets with rockets and cannons at Bala Wuta bandits’ locations in Kadaoji. Similar successes were recorded at Fakai Dutsin Anfare, an area in Jibia LGA known for its high incidences of bandits’ activities.”

The Force, therefore, declared:  “the false reportage, therefore, begs the question as to why the NAF would negotiate for a weapon allegedly seized and still carry out air interdiction missions on the same bandits and their strongholds.

“The NAF is of the view that this latest false report could be a part of a campaign to further the cause of insecurity in Nigeria by elements who see the NAF as a threat following a series of successful exploits in operations against criminal gangs.”

Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet emphasized that perhaps, this provides an avenue for the NAF to yet again appeal to members of the media, both local and international, as well as social media, to be circumspect in their reportage and endeavour to always verify their facts before going public. He added that the public is enjoined to disregard the falsehood emanating from some sections of the social and mainstream media.

The NAF also used this opportunity to call on citizens to continue to cooperate with security agencies as efforts are ongoing to rid the entire Nation of criminals and their activities.

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“On our part, the NAF, as a professional and disciplined force, will not in any way be discouraged from carrying out its mandate to rid the entire North-West Nigeria of banditry and other forms of criminality. We remain resolute in performing our function and will continue to work in synergy with other sister Services and security agencies to rid the Country of all criminal elements.

“Kindly bring this information to the awareness of the general public,” Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet stated.