• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Home Security NAF Blasts Amnesty International over Allegations of Human Rights Abuses in Numan
  • Security

NAF Blasts Amnesty International over Allegations of Human Rights Abuses in Numan

By
Olatokunbo Adesanya
-
January 30, 2018
NAF Special Force
NAF Special Force
NAF Blasts Amnesty International over Allegations of Human Rights Abuses in Numan
The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to allegations by Amnesty International of human rights abuses reportedly committed by the NAF in some villages around Numan, Adamawa State on 4 December 2017.
In the first place, it is very unfortunate that a highly respected international organization 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.
It is particularly disturbing that an organization 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 force intervened in the crisis around Numan on 4 December 2017, there were no 2 distinguishable groups clashing.
Rather, only one group of hoodlums was seen unleashing mayhem on villages near Numan. The force remains a highly professional organization, which places high value on respect for human rights, and therefore categorically states that the allegations by Amnesty International are lies.
In actual fact, the intervention of the NAF in the Numan crisis of 4 December 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 4 December 2017, a NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform departed Maiduguri to conduct ISR over Numan general area. This was in response to a request by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army (NA), 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 NA 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 passes, 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. It is important to state that the hoodlums had set several villages on fire and much destruction had taken place before the arrival of NAF aircraft.
Nevertheless, the intervention of the NAF proved decisive in putting an end to the hoodlums’ rampaging activities. At no time did the NAF Spokesman identify the hoodlums as herdsmen, as the pilots could not have possibly determined the identities of the hoodlums from thousands of feet in the air. Additionally, the NAF Spokesman has never revised the accounts of the events of the day with any media house.
It is significant to note that without the timely intervention of the NAF, nothing would have stopped the huge mass of hoodlums from burning down Numan, where they were obviously heading, if not prevented by the NAF.
Had they succeeded, they would have killed several individuals and burnt or destroyed more properties. It is better imagined how many more lives would have been lost without the timely and wise intervention of the force. It is the responsibility of the NAF to defend Nigerian lives and the NAF could not have simply watched while lives were being taken and properties destroyed.
It is regrettable that Amnesty International never made any attempt to find out NAF’s account of the events of the said date before making its allegations.
The report by Amnesty International is therefore deemed to be unfair, one-sided and apparently aimed at embarrassing the NAF.
Clearly, the NAF will continue to sustain efforts at ensuring security within the nation and will not be discouraged from discharging its constitutional responsibilities of protecting the lives and properties of all Nigerians. Overall, the NAF wishes to state as follows:
a.      At no time has the NAF been involved in settling any “herdsmen-farmers” clash in the Numan general area.
b.      The NAF, either with its aircraft or by any other means, did not set any villages near Numan on fire on 4 December 2017 or at any other time.
c.       NAF’s aircraft was not used to kill anyone in the villages around Numan during the crisis of 4 December 2017.
d.      Amnesty International should produce credible evidence to substantiate its baseless allegations that NAF air attacks led to the destruction in the villages as well as loss of lives, failing which it should go to the press and retract its allegations.
OLATOKUNBO ADESANYA
Air Vice Marshal
Director of Public
Relations and Information
VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Adamawa State Government
  • Amnesty
  • NAF
  • Nigerian air force
  • Numan
Previous article430 Prisoners Admitted for Varsity Degree, 915 Others Freed- NPS
Next articleMilitary Prohibits Vehicular Movements on Selected Roads in Borno
Olatokunbo Adesanya
Olatokunbo Adesanya
https://deborian.com/

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Tinubu: Shuttle Diplomacy and the Power of Showing Up

Army Partners Media to Tackle Fake News, Boost National Security

Nigerian Air Force new Headquarters

Badaru Hails NAF’s Vision, Commissions New Headquarters Annex in Abuja

Troops Repel Terrorists Attacks in Borno, Launch Rescue Operation for Abducted Villagers

Christian Association of Nigeria CAN

CAN Refutes ‘Christian Genocide’ Claims, Says Violence in Nigeria Affects All Faiths

Bandit hideout destroyed by troops

Army Dislodges Bandits in Taraba Forests Under Operation Lafiya Nakowa

How Irabor’s Book Launch Became National Security Summit as Obasanjo, Jonathan, Kukah, Sultan Spoke on Boko Haram

Nigerian Army

Nigerian Army Denies Losing Weapons to Bandits in Kwara Operation

NDLEA Logo

NDLEA Dismantles Cocaine Cartels Behind UK Shipments, Arrests Suspects, Destroys 25,000kg Skunk Nationwide

Troops Neutralise Terrorists, Repel Boko Haram Attack in Borno

GWA Award Winners 2025

PHOTOS: Nigeria Customs, IMPR Bag Back-to-Back Golden World Award at IPRA 70th Anniversary

Troops Nab Terrorists’ Logistics, Drug Suppliers in Borno

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Recent Posts

  • Tinubu: Shuttle Diplomacy and the Power of Showing Up
  • MAAUN Public Health Students Host Seminar to Combat Drug Abuse and Preventable Diseases
  • FutureMap Graduates Over 1,000 Students from STEAM Camp in Jigawa
  • Finally, Tinubu’s Embattled Minister Resigns Amid Certificate Scandal
  • Tinubu Confers National Honour on Outgoing INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Tinubu: Shuttle Diplomacy and the Power of Showing UpMAAUN Public Health Students Host Seminar to Combat Drug Abuse and Preventable DiseasesFutureMap Graduates Over 1,000 Students from STEAM Camp in JigawaFinally, Tinubu's Embattled Minister Resigns Amid Certificate ScandalTinubu Confers National Honour on Outgoing INEC Chairman Mahmood YakubuArmy Partners Media to Tackle Fake News, Boost National SecurityBadaru Hails NAF’s Vision, Commissions New Headquarters Annex in AbujaJUST IN: INEC Boss Prof. Yakubu Hands Over Leadership to Acting ChairTroops Repel Terrorists Attacks in Borno, Launch Rescue Operation for Abducted VillagersCAN Refutes ‘Christian Genocide’ Claims, Says Violence in Nigeria Affects All FaithsAlleged Certificate Forgery: Why Uche Nnaji Must Resign or Get Fired ImmediatelyPantami Foundation Graduates 250 Gombe Youths in Tech, EntrepreneurshipTinubu Orders NAHCON to Reduce 2026 Hajj FaresSecurity Operatives Nab Influencers Over Defamatory Campaign Against Senator Shehu BubaArmy Dislodges Bandits in Taraba Forests Under Operation Lafiya Nakowa
X whatsapp