DAPCHI: THE BOGUS CLAIM BY NIGERIAN AIRFORCE
MICHAEL AKINOLA
Contrary to the reports in the media that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed at least 100 fighter jets towards the search for the 110 schoolgirls abducted on February 19, 2018 in Dapchi, P.M.EXPRESS findings showed it was a bogus claim.
The Nation newspaper had reported that 20 of the jets have flown 200 hours as at late Monday, February 26, according to a fact sheet on the search released by Lai Mohammed, the Information Minister. The report also quoted Babagana Monguno, the National Security Adviser (NSA), who visited Governor Ibrahim Gaidam in Damaturu, the Yobe state, on Tuesday, February 27, as announcing that 80 other planes would join the search for the girls.
“The Nigerian Air Force has deployed 20 aircraft in Maiduguri and 80 others on their way. So far, 200 hours have been utilised in flying sorties looking for these girls. “We have also been made aware of the fact that the Nigerian Air Force will step up its operation regardless of the very hard and severe weather condition.” “Back in Abuja, we have set up our own machinery in dealing with this situation. All the security agencies have been working together. “The situation room has been expanded – the one in the office of the National Security Adviser that is linked directly to all other security agencies but most importantly to the theatre command over here. “I have made efforts with my counterparts across the region to try and work and share intelligence together and see how quickly we can bring to an end this very unfortunate situation. “But, apart from that, we are also looking at other measures in dealing with past occurrences and how to forestall any future occurrence. “The government will continue to push harder, dealing with all organisations – local and international – and engaging with every group that comes forward to see that these girls are brought back safely to their parents. This is a commitment that the government has made,” he said.
P.M.EXPRESS findings showed that since the inception of the Nigerian Airforce, the total number of fighter planes in its inventory is not up to 100; talk less of this huge deceit of the Nigerian public.
The abduction of the school girls is definitely being politicized by this bogus claim by the Airforce. The Minister of Defence should therefore call the Airforce to order for this flagrant display of lack of integrity in pursuit of national security. Let the Nigerian Airforce come up with their inventory that clearly is in public domain.
Not too long ago, P.M.EXPRESS had refuted claims in the media by the Nigerian Airforce that fighter jets were procured from Pakistan for the fight against insurgency, while they only received primary training airplanes. The Nigerian Airforce remains a respected military institution and should only feed the public with the right information about their activities.
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