- The NAF HQ team is led by AVM Gabkwet
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has dispatched a fact-finding team to Zamfara State to fully investigate the incident of civilian casualties to enable the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters have a detailed report for further action.
The Team is led by Air Vice Marshal Edward K Gabkwet, Director of Coordination and Cooperation (DCC), Civil-Military Relations Branch of HQ NAF.
According to a statement by NAF Spokesperson, AVM Olusola Akinboyewa, the team is mandated to liaise and interface with State and Local Government officials as well as all other critical stakeholders in order to have “a holistic assessment of the situation with a view to driving the appropriate response.”
The full statement by AVM Akinboyewa reads: “Concerned about the reported incidence of civilian casualties in the recent Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes in Zamfara State, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has dispatched a fact-finding team to Zamfara to fully investigate the incident and provide a detailed report for further action.
“The Team, led by Air Vice Marshal Edward K Gabkwet, Director of Coordination and Cooperation (DCC) in the Civil-Military Relations Branch of NAF Headquarters, will liaise and interface with State and Local Government officials as well as all other critical stakeholders, for a holistic assessment of the situation with a view to driving the appropriate response.
“The CAS wishes to reiterate the NAF’s commitment to the highest level of professionalism and transparency in the conduct of operations, in line with appropriate global standards. Our absolute value for the life and well-being of every Nigerian remains an integral part of the ethos of the Service, as we sustain the effort to defeat all threats to our nation’s peace, security and prosperity.
“Mindful also of the need to maintain public trust, which is germane to our operational effectiveness, we enjoin all stakeholders to rest assured that the NAF will continue to refine its operational procedures to ensure mission accomplishment, while protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
