Navy airstrike didn’t kill fishermen in Lake Chad – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has dismissed the report of killing of 20 fishermen in airstrike by the Air Part of Operation Hadin Kai at Kwatan Daban Masara within the fringes of the Lake Chad.

The Appearing Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this in an announcement on Thursday in Abuja.

Onyeuko defined that the air Part, performing on credible intelligence on the actions of terrorists in an recognized ISWAP camp on the mentioned location, performed air strikes on the goal on Sept. 26.

He mentioned the air interdiction was performed after cautious Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions revealed the actions of ISWAP components within the location.

In accordance with him, the intelligence gathered was processed and punctiliously analyzed between the interval of Aug. 19 and Sept. 23.

“Individuals carrying fight vests and uniforms recognized as ISWAP-styled uniforms have been seen throughout the camp.

“Moreover, neither girls nor kids have been seen in or across the camp, simply as no fishing actions have been seen.

“As an alternative, canoes loaded with unidentified objects have been seen parked however not engaged in any fishing exercise, a sign that they have been to be ferried to a different location.

“Having fastidiously ascertained that close by civilian settlements weren’t within the line of fireplace and a precision strike would disrupt ISWAP logistics motion and neutralise them; a choice was made to conduct a strike on the ISWAP camp,” he mentioned.

Onyeuko said that casualty figures couldn’t be ascertained, saying the strike was verified to achieve success in disrupting ISWAP logistics motion and foot troopers.

He mentioned that the placement is a widely known ISWAP enclave, including that there was an current ban on fishing actions throughout the space.

He additional defined that the final space was generally known as a gateway for motion of logistics by ISWAP components particularly from Kirta and Wulgo places.

“Subsequently, the Nigerian Navy needs to state categorically that essential steps have been taken to make sure that the presence of the terrorists was ascertained and the strike was exact and professionally executed.

“The Navy Excessive Command will proceed to make sure that its troops safeguard lives and properties of harmless residents.

“It appreciates most people for his or her steady assist and additional encourages all to avail the navy with credible and well timed info that can facilitate our proactive engagements within the struggle in opposition to terrorism,” he mentioned.

Vanguard Information Nigeria