Stop gloating at disappearance of NAF fighter jet – FG

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The federal government has condemned the malicious celebration of the disappearance of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jet in Borno on March 31 by “unpatriotic” Nigerians.

Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at a press briefing Tuesday in Abuja, warned those cheering for the incidence and called for support for the military.

“I read, especially on social networks, dead ends which rejoice at the disappearance of the NAF plane.

“It is heinous and condemnable, and cannot come from truly born Nigerians.

“No patriotic citizen will denigrate his country’s army for having fought to protect the territorial integrity of the nation and ensure peace and security. None, ” he said.

The minister called on all Nigerians to support the troops and to continue to remember them in their prayers.

He said the impact of the missing fighter plane was confirmation of the sacrifices the military was making for the country.

“As we await a word from the Air Force on ongoing search and rescue efforts, this development has once again accentuated the enormous sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform to ensure safety. of our country and make sure we sleep well at night.

“Every day, these valiant men and women put their lives on the line, in the ultimate act of sacrifice and patriotism, for the good of our nation.

“When they leave their homes, there is no guarantee that they will return.

“Yet they continue! This is one of the reasons we launched a national campaign to ask for support from our military and other security agencies in February 2019, ” he said.

Mohammed, on behalf of the government, expressed his condolences with the NAF for the disappearance of the fighter plane involved in the counterinsurgency war.

The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that the NAF reported that the fighter plane lost contact in Borno State while on a mission to support ground troops.

Boko Haram terrorists released a video claiming to have shot down the plane.

The Air Force, however, refuted the terrorists’ claim that the video had been tampered with.

Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement that the Alpha-Jet had lost contact with the radar in Borno “during a mission of ‘ban in support of ground troops’.

He said the plane which had two crew members may have crashed, adding that search and rescue efforts are underway.

“At this point, the NAF is not ruling out anything about the incident. However, there is hope that the crew will soon be found and rescued, ”he said in a statement.

(NAN)

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