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Chibok Girls: Defence Headquarters Examines Boko Haram's Latest Video, Disputes Allegation Of Killing Some Girls During Airstrikes

August 14, 2016

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) is scrutinising the latest Book Haram video purportedly showing some of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls.

In the video, some of the schoolgirls, wearing headscarves, could be seen behind a Boko Haram terrorist, who demanded the release of the group's  fighters in return for freeing the girls. The militant also claimed that some of the girls have been killed in airstrikes.

 Brigadier-General Rabe Abubakar,  Director, Defence Information, disclosed that the military is examining the video clip to ascertain if it is genuine.  “Currently, we are studying the video clip to verify its authenticity and analysing the comments of the speakers in the video, especially the terrorist member and the girl that spoke in mother tongue,” Abubakar explained.

 He disputed allegations made in the video that some of the kidnapped girls had been killed in airstrikes.

“It is extremely difficult and rare to hit innocent people during airstrikes because the operation is done through precision attack on identified and registered targets and locations.  Precision airstrikes are very effective at taking out targeted enemies because they are not random operations. 

We are nevertheless studying the video clips to examine if the victims died from other causes rather from the allegation of airstrikes," he added. 

The DHQ has promised to provide updates on the investigation into the allegation that some girls were killed by airstrikes.

 SaharaReporters learnt that the Nigerian Airforce, through its component in Operation Lafiya Dole (code name for the anti-Boko Haram initiative), is focused on sustaining air operations and providing support to ground troops of the Armed Forces' strive to end the Boko Haram insurgency.                                          

Airstrikes are professionally controlled and coordinated by adept officers, in tandem with friendly ground troops, to ensure that casualty is minimised. They are usually preceded by detailed surveillance. 

 “Nigeria Airforce employs precision-guided weapons with modern Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance systems to reduce likely collateral damage from any airstrike. All the areas struck throughout the operation were thoroughly monitored on intelligence surveillance and eye services before the attacks or shelling. Most of the targeted areas were clearly identified before the airstrikes to avoid collateral damages," disclosed an Air Force officer.

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