Group Claims Missing NAF Pilot’s Dead

Group Claims Missing NAF Pilot’s Dead

05 Oct 2014

NAF aircraft

• Military dismisses claim

Senator Iroegbu  in Abuja

A group under the auspices of  the Nigerian Army Support Group has claimed that the alleged Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet pilot that went missing while on operation  three weeks ago was dead.

The military authorities are maintaining that the two Alpha Jet pilots are still missing, while dismissing the group's action as insensitive and a deliberate act to cause confusion and  as well aid the Boko Haram propaganda machine.

The new group, through its Facebook account, which mirrored a similar message said to have been aired on the African Independent Television (AIT), described the allegedly dead pilot as “a true Nigerian hero.”

Unlike the scant information given by Boko Haram whose video showed a static picture, the group was able to place a name and image of the purported missing NAF pilot.

The statement reads: “It is with deep regret that we announce the death of a true Nigerian hero, Wing Commander Chimda Hedima (1975-2014).

“This is his story. Read it, share it. This man was a hero of the highest order.

“On 11/09/14, a company of NA soldiers attempted to overrun a BH position in Borno. Due to the low altitude, the plane suffered significant damage from the terrorists’ gunfire. Wing Commander Hedima and his partner realised that they were going to crash.

“They, instead of hurriedly parachuting to safety within Nigerian controlled territory, chose to embark on a mission to destroy as many terrorists and their weapons as possible. They parachuted out at the last minute but not before ensuring their plane slammed into a column of terrorists; 63 Boko Haram members were killed as a result of their bravery.

“Wing Commander Hedima was captured. On 12/09/14, he was killed.

“He chose Nigeria, he chose all of us. We cannot forget him. Please share his story. His name should be known by everyone.
“Rest in peace Commander, we are grateful. May you find eternal peace. Thank you for your service.”

Speaking to THISDAY, the Director of Public Relations and Information (DoPRI), Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said that such action was done in bad faith meant to create confusion and panic.

Alonge said that NAF was yet to conclude their investigation on the missing craft, and until then, their position still remains that the two pilots and the Alpha Jet are missing.

He said that people should simply be patient to allow military carry on with their work professionally without putting out propaganda and falsehood capable of jeopardizing the nation's war on terror.

Speaking to THISDAY, another military officer wondered why a group, which tagged itself Nigerian Army Support Group could be used to publish information it claimed was on the missing or captured Air Force pilot.

"You could notice that the so called video with a photo-shopped images and pictures by Boko Haram did not show any particulars of the said pilot. Now, this can provide them with a face and names with which they can further their propaganda.

"Another thing you will notice is that there are two Air Force Pilots involved, why are the so called support group not releasing the name of the second pilot? Or are they just releasing only one detail to just fit into the narrative of the terrorists who could only claim they captured one Pilot?".

"What of the second Pilot? Is he not also missing or is his name not important as well? Probably they are waiting for when Boko Haram will create another video to claim they captured another pilot to release a name", the source said.

It could be recalled that NAF authorities debunked claims in a new video by Boko Haram that it beheaded  the pilot of the Air Force jet, responding to THISDAY categorically when asked by if the purported pilot was a member of the Air Force thus:  "No, he's not".