The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has debunked rumours that the wreckage of its missing fighter jet and body of one of the missing pilots have been found at Bama, Borno State.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, described the report as misleading and absolutely at variance with known ethos of journalism profession.
Gabkwet, in a statement, said: “The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to an online publication on the unfortunate crash involving the NAF Alpha Jet aircraft earlier reported missing. The report, with the caption, ‘Wreckage of Missing NAF Alpha Jet 475 Found in Bama,’ claimed that the missing aircraft as well as the body of one of the missing pilots have been found. The report, which quoted ‘an authoritative military source’ was not only misleading, but absolutely at variance with known ethos of the journalism profession as the medium never made an effort to contact the NAF, to verify the story before the publication.
“From the day the control radar lost contact with the aircraft on March 13, 2021, the NAF, as a professional fighting force, has been keeping members of the public abreast and updated on the missing aircraft and combined efforts of the NAF and Nigerian Army (NA) search and rescue team to locate the crashed aircraft.
“It is, therefore, sad and disheartening that such an unverified story could be published without any effort to confirm its veracity from the NAF. It is not in dispute that the media, as the watchdog of the society, have the right to continually inform the public. It should, however, be done within the acceptable dictates of the noble journalism profession.
“While search and rescue efforts are being sustained until the wreckage of the aircraft is found, the NAF wishes to reassure the general public that it shall be informed of any update as regards the missing aircraft.
“ºMembers of the press are, thus, requested to always be circumspect and exercise restraint in their reportage, and endeavour to always clarify issues before going to press.”
