NAN-DS-1a
Investigation
Maiduguri, Dec. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Air Force on Thursday commenced investigation into the alleged assault against one Lance Cpl. Kamal Usman attached to anti-terrorism operation in Borno.
The Commander of the 105 NAF Composite Group, Air Commodore Charles Ohwo, announced the plan to newsmen in Maiduguri.
Ohwo said that Usman was attacked by suspected hoodlums while on his way back home after closing from work.
“You all know that NAF duties predominantly revolves around the air space only.
“But due to the Boko Haram terrorism, we have our men deployed on ground duty with the Nigerian Army,” the air commodore explained.
“On Wednesday, we got a report from the commander of the 251 battalion involving Ibrahim who has been attached to the battalion.
“The report indicated that the air man left his duty post at the close of work with the aim of returning to his lodge,” he said.
The air commodore said that the air man got suspicious after seeing people running on sighting him at a location.
“He left his beat for home after closing for the day; he met a group of people around a corner and the people started fleeing on seeing him, so he became suspicious.
“He tried to inquire, so he entered some of the rooms around, he saw a lady lying down in on of the rooms but was attacked before he could even talk to her,” Ohwo said.
He said that the assailants took away the rifle of the air man in the process.
“The air man ran for help and came back with a colleague who helped in recovering the rifle. Unfortunately, an old man died in the process,” Ohwo said.
He said that the injured air man had been hospitalised following the injuries he sustained during the attack.
“I want to say without fear of contradiction that the man was not involved in any alleged rape case as being speculated in town,” Ohwo said.
“He is currently in the hospital receiving treatment for the injuries he sustained,” the air commodore said.
He, however, assured members of the public that the NAF would carry out thorough investigation before taking a decision on the issue. (NAN)
ABI/AOM/MVO
(By Abdullahi Mohammed/Mbadiwe Okwor)