The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has said that is working closely with other relevant security agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding last Tuesday’s gruesome murder of the former chief of defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh with a view to ensuring that the perpetrators of the crime are fished out.
In a statement, on the verified Twitter handle of the Airforce, @NigAirForce, spokesman for NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, also said significant progress was being made in the investigation.
He said the late air force chief was provided with the “full complement of personal staff and security personnel, commensurate with his status as a former Chief of the Air Staff, CDS and a four-star general in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
The spokesman denied the report that the late CAS’ driver was killed along with him saying “the driver is alive and recuperating extremely well at one of our NAF Hospital.”
Daramola said the clarification was necessary in view of erroneous media reports trailing the death of the retired Nigerian military officer.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has noted, with dismay, some erroneous reports and comments in the media regarding the unfortunate incident that led to the death of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, on 18 December 2018. Some of these reports erroneously state that the driver of the late former CDS, who was also shot during the incident, is dead. Other reports allege that adequate security was not provided for the deceased Air Chief Marshal.
“The NAF wishes to state categorically that nothing could be further from the truth. Firstly, all are please requested to note that the driver is alive and recuperating extremely well at one of our NAF Hospital. Secondly, Air Chief Marshal Badeh has always been provided with the full compliment of personal staff and security personnel commensurate with his status as a former Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), CDS and a 4-star general in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“As mentioned by the chief of army staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on 19 December 2018, the NAF is working closely with other relevant security agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the former CDS with a view to ensuring that the perpetrators of the heinous act are brought to justice. Substantial progress has already been made in the ongoing investigation and details would be communicated at the appropriate time.
“While appreciating the overwhelming show of support received from well-meaning Nigerians during this trying time, the NAF wishes to request that the spreading of misinformation about the incident should stop forthwith as this could have adverse effects on the conduct of ongoing operations.”
