The panel has two weeks to submit its report.
As part of its investigation into the bombing, the panel had summoned, among others, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor; the pilots who launched the air strike, and some air officers at the Air Component base.
A top source at NAF, who confirmed the invitation of Irabor and some NAF officers, told Punch that the pilots, who dropped the bombs, could not yet be sanctioned since the panel had not submitted any finding to indict them.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said in a statement on Thursday that the panel would submit its report on Thursday, February 2, 2017.
Famuyiwa stated that the NAF had listed 20 witnesses, who the panel would invite but free to invite more outside the list.
He said, “The NAF has constituted a board of senior officers to investigate the accidental air strike on January 17, 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 forestalling future occurrence. 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 source said, “The NAF is not treating this incident with kid’ gloves, and it is not going to spare any indicted officer. The Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre commander is top among those to be summoned by the panel.
“The panel will unravel whether surveillance was done at the location before the air strike. All these are necessary. Also, the panel will find out if the Rann location had been an IDPs’ camp known to the military or not.”
A top source at NAF, who confirmed the invitation of Irabor and some NAF officers, told Punch that the pilots, who dropped the bombs, could not yet be sanctioned since the panel had not submitted any finding to indict them.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said in a statement on Thursday that the panel would submit its report on Thursday, February 2, 2017.
Famuyiwa stated that the NAF had listed 20 witnesses, who the panel would invite but free to invite more outside the list.
He said, “The NAF has constituted a board of senior officers to investigate the accidental air strike on January 17, 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 forestalling future occurrence. 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 source said, “The NAF is not treating this incident with kid’ gloves, and it is not going to spare any indicted officer. The Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre commander is top among those to be summoned by the panel.
“The panel will unravel whether surveillance was done at the location before the air strike. All these are necessary. Also, the panel will find out if the Rann location had been an IDPs’ camp known to the military or not.”
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