NAF Debunks Amnesty Int'l's Alleged Human Rights Abuse in Adamawa

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday debunked allegations by Amnesty International (AI) that NAF committed human rights abuses in Numan, Adamawa State.

AI had earlier accused NAF of partial operation in Numan during the herdsmen and farmers crisis.

But according to NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Asesanya, the allegations are far from the truth.

He said: "The attention of the Nigerian Air Force has been drawn to allegations by Amnesty International of human rights abuses reportedly committed by the NAF in some villages around Numan in Adamawa State on December 4, 2017.

"In the first place, it is very unfortunate that a highly respected international organisation such as Amnesty International would make such unfounded allegations.

"At no time has the NAF been involved in settling any ‘herdsmen-farmers’ clash in the Numan general area as alleged by Amnesty International."

Adesanya explained that "it is particularly disturbing that an organisation of the stature of Amnesty International would believe a ridiculous story that the pilot of an aircraft flying at a high speed would be able to distinguish between a herdsman and a local farmer before deciding which one to 'bomb.'

"Indeed, at the time the NAF intervened in the crisis around Numan on  December 4, 2017, there were no two distinguishable groups clashing.

"Rather, only one group of hoodlums was seen unleashing mayhem on villages near Numan. The NAF remains a highly professional organisation, which places high value on respect for human rights, and therefore categorically states that the allegations by Amnesty International are lies."

He further stated that "in actual fact, the intervention of the NAF in the Numan crisis of December 4, 2017, resulted in the successful dispersal of a group of hoodlums who were setting some villages around Numan on fire.

"To set the records straight, in the early hours of December 4, 2017, a NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform departed Maiduguri to conduct ISR over Numan general area, Adamawa State.

"This was in response to a request by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army, following reports of clashes around that location.

"Hundreds of people, mostly dressed in black attires and who appeared armed, were sighted ransacking and setting a village on fire. In addition, the hoodlums set large portions of farmlands ablaze.

"Furthermore, some of the men were seen guiding livestock out of the village. Consequently, a NAF aircraft was called in to support the army and other relevant security agencies through ‘show of force’ low-level flights.

"This was aimed at dispersing the huge crowd and thereby stopping the ongoing carnage. After several low pass, the crowd was undeterred and refused to disperse.

"Rather, the assailants started firing shots at the aircraft and continued in their dastardly act of burning houses within the settlement.

"The aircraft therefore had to fire shots ahead of the rampaging crowd when it became obvious that they were heading for Numan to inflict further damage.

"Sequel to the NAF’s intervention, the hoodlums started scattering and fleeing to a nearby bridge. Other low passes were conducted by NAF aircraft over the area to prevent the regrouping of the hoodlums around Numan and other villages.