NAF Denies Paying Bandits N20m To Retrieve Weapon Stopping President From Flying To Katsina

The Nigerian Air Force has denied allegations that it paid the sum of N20 million to bandits in Jibia, Katsina State, to recover a lost anti-aircraft gun and secure the safe passage of a presidential jet.

The Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, refuted the report in a press statement issued on Sunday.

The Wall Street Journal had exclusively reported that the said sum ($50,000) was paid to the bandits as President Muhammadu Buhari was planning a trip to Katsina.

The report said the money was paid after the military realised that it would be too risky to leave the weapon in the hands of violent criminals operating in an area the presidential jet would fly over.

However, the Nigerian Air Force, in the statement, refuted the claims, while describing the report as “fake news”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it must be stated that there is no basis for the NAF to pay bandits or any criminal elements that it has continued to attack and decimate in Katsina State, other parts of the North-West as well as other Theatres of Operation in the Country.

“Indeed, as recent as October 12, 2021* , NAF aircraft conducted 5 missions in the Jibia general area and engaged targets with rockets and cannons at Bala Wuta bandits’ locations in Kadaoji.

“Similar successes were recorded at Fakai Dutsin Anfare, an area in Jibia LGA known for its high incidences of bandits’ activities. The false reportage therefore, begs the question as to why the NAF would negotiate for a weapon allegedly seized and still carry out air interdiction missions on the same bandits and their strongholds,” the statement read in part.

Air Commodore Gabkwet maintained that there was no iota of truth in the allegation, which according to him, was designed to cast aspersions on the good image of the Service.

He appealed to the media to be circumspect in their reportage and endeavour to always verify their facts before going public.