Nigerian Military Reacts As NAF Airstrike Mistakenly Kills Seven Children In Niger Republic

The Nigerian Military says it has opened an investigation into the reported case of seven children mistakenly killed by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jet strike.

Earlier reports have it that a Nigerian Military airstrike targeted at some terrorists had hit innocent civilians and resulted in the death of seven children while five others were wounded.

In its immediate response, the Nigerian Military through the Director of Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor said its Air Force doesn’t operate outside the country’s territory.

This comes after Naija News had earlier reported that the governor of the Maradi region, Chaibou Aboubacar, on Sunday disclosed that an airstrike of the Nigerian Army targeting bandits killed seven children and injured five others mistakenly in Niger Republic.

Aboubachar while speaking on the development said, “There was a mistake with the Nigerian strikes on the border that resulted in victims on our territory in the village of Nachade.”

“The victims are 12 children, seven of them dead and five wounded.”

The incident was said to have happened some kilometres from the Nigerian border with Niger Republic.

The Nigerian Military said further investigation will be carried out on the matter.

Meanwhile, a former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd), has denied planning to contest the 2023 presidential election despite campaign posters.

In a statement signed by the former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman (Rtd), Buratai said he has never indicated interest, discussed with or directed anyone to campaign for him.

While urging on Nigerians to ignore such calls and posters, the former Army chief said he is not willing to go into partisan politics.