By Damilare Adeleye and Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Nigeria Air Force has absolved itself of the airstrikes unleashed on Tudun Biriin Igabi Local Government Area in Kaduna State.
It was reported that the airstrikes killed about 30 residents during a Maulud Nabiy celebration in the community Sunday night.
Reacting, NAF in a statement on Monday, said it had not conducted any air operations within Kaduna in the last 24 hours.
“The news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft accidentally killed innocent civilians in Kaduna is false.
“Please be informed that the NAF has not carried out any air operations within Kaduna State and its environs in the last 24 hours.
“Also, note that the NAF is not the only organization operating combat armed drones in the Northwestern region of Nigeria,” NAF said in the statement signed by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information.
“It is also important to ensure that due diligence is always exhausted by the media before going to press with unverified and unconfirmed reports,” it added.
Meanwhile, Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner of the State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in the state, on Monday morning, had said that the government would address the media on the incident in a press conference at the Government House today (Monday).