Senator Ndume Survives Aerial Bombing As Airforce Jets Mistake His Convoy For Boko Haram Fighters

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume representing Southern Borno Senatorial District, on Sunday escaped death by the whiskers.
 
This is as Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Jets fired explosives at him, thinking his convoy was those of Boko Haram militants.

 
Addressing newsmen at his Maiduguri residence, Ndume said he traveled to Gwoza Local Government to present a letter of appointment to the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Iddrisa Timta, on his promotion to a first class emir as well as visit Arbaku, Ngoshe and others affected by Boko Haram attacks to console the villagers.

“I thank God for sparing my life as the jet which I suspected was on military operation against Boko Haram dropped four bombs on my convoy, he said.

“I went to Gwoza. I notified the police and military authorities of my presence where they even assisted me with security cover, and when I finished with my mission at about 2:10pm, we started hearing explosions.

“Initially, I thought it was Boko Haram that wanted to attack me, but when we were thrown into confusion, the soldiers attached to my convoy rushed to me and said it was not Boko Haram, but rather, an Air Force jet that was dropping bombs. We had to run into a military base close to the scene of the incident and take cover.”

Ndume said he had reported the incident to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, whom replied his text message thus, “I hope no life was lost.”

Meanwhile, NAF authorities has confirmed that the jet mistakenly fired shots at Ndume’s convoy while in pursuit of some Boko Haram suspects who were operating in the area at the time Ndume was passing.

Speaking in Abuja, Director of Air Force Public Relations, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, described the incident as unfortunate.
He, however, explained that the jets fired some shots at the convoy and not bombs as alleged.

Speaking further, the spokesman stated that terrorists had attacked the Army Barracks in Gwoza and made attempt to over run it.

Anas added that during the pursuit of the attackers, “the jets flew low and opened fire on a set of vehicles, about five or more of them including Hilux vans that were carrying the terrorists.”

“But because the aircraft could not ascertain one of those on the ground, no further action was taken. If Senator Ndume was in one of the vehicles, it is unfortunate but the fighter jets were not in a position to know the occupants of the vehicles.”

Daily Post