Super Tucano Will Only Be Used On Terrorists, Not On Civilians – NAF

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured Nigerians that the Super Tucano aircraft will only be used against terrorists in the Northern region of the country.

Acting Director, Defence Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Wap Maigida, gave the assurance in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday.

Maigida assured residents in the North-West and North-Central that there would be no civilian casualties during the use of the fighter jets against bandits.

He said the Nigerian military was set to deploy the fighter jets in the two regions after the federal government officially declared bandits as terrorists.

The NAF spokesman disclosed that the aircraft would be used for intelligence-driven operations and that the pilots have gone through rigorous training to be able to use the aircraft.

Maigida, however, revealed that innocent citizens in bandits’ captivity would not be affected during the use of the fighter jets in military operations.

He said: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria has respect for human rights and we would only use it (Super Tucano) on terrorists. We understand the aircraft is a very strategic aircraft and it would be used for highly intelligence-driven operations.

“Anything we are hitting suspected terrorists. I can tell you the pilots have gone through rigorous training to be able to use the equipment. We are assuring Nigerians that those fighter jets would be well utilised.”