The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dismissed claim by Boko Haram that the Alpha Jet aircraft reported missing in Borno State on 31 March 2021 after losing radar contact, was shot down by them.
In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the circulating videos were deliberately doctored to give the false impression that the aircraft was shot down.
“The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to some videos being circulated on Social Media, as well as media reports drawn therefrom, alleging that the NAF Alpha Jet aircraft, which was reported missing in Borno State on 31 March 2021 after losing radar contact, was shot down by terrorists.
“One of such videos, in particular, began with sporadic shooting by several terrorists, including underage children on motorcycles and vehicles.
“It later skipped abruptly to a scene depicting an aircraft exploding mid-air, supposedly as a result of enemy action.
“Another part of the video showed a terrorist, who, while standing by the wreckage, claimed that they had shot down the NAF aircraft..
“Although the video is still being thoroughly analysed, it is evident that most parts of the video were deliberately doctored to give the false impression that the aircraft was shot down.
“For instance, the video clip failed to show the correlation between the sporadic shooting, which even from casual observation was obviously aimed at ground targets, and the sudden mid-air aircraft explosion,” Gabkwet said.
He further stated that it was almost impossible for an aircraft to have exploded mid-air, in the manner depicted in the video, and still have a good part of its fuselage, including its tail, intact.
“Indeed, an explosive impact of that nature would have scattered the debris of the aircraft across several miles.
“It is obvious that the Boko Haram Sect, in its characteristic manner of employing false propaganda, is seeking to claim credit for what was obviously an air accident that could have been caused by several other reasons; particularly at a time when the capability of the group to inflict mayhem has been significantly degraded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, “Gabkwet added.
He advised Nigerians to ignore the contents of the videos doing the rounds until all investigations as to how the aircraft crashed were completed.
Gabkwet said the Nigerian Air Force, on its part, remained resolute and would continue to work assiduously, in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, to rid the North East of all terrorist elements.
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