IDPs Bombing: Air Force Names Six-man Investigation Committee

Paul Obi in Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force yesterday named a six-man investigation committee to ascertain the remote causes of the accidental bombing of the Internally Displaced Persons  (IDPs) camp in Borno State last Tuesday.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said the mandate of the committee is to thoroughly investigate the accidental bombing and ensure that such unfortunate incident are avoided.

Famuyiwa said: “The Nigerian Air Force has constituted a board of senior officers to investigate the accidental air strike on 17 January 2017 at Rann, Borno State.

“Among its terms of reference, the board is to determine the immediate and remote causes as well as the circumstances that led to the incident. This is with a view to forestall future occurrence.”

He explained that “in addition to a list of 20 witnesses given to it, the board is free to invite other persons to give evidence on oath. The board is to submit its report not later than February 2, 2017.

“The six-man board is headed by the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (HQ NAF), Air Vice Marshal Salihu Bala-Ribah. Other members are: Air Vice Marshal Charles Oghomwen, Air Commodore Ayoola Jolasinmi, Group Captain Essien Efanga, Wing Commander Solomon Irmiya and Wing Commander Mohammed Muazu.”