MILITARY BEGINS PROBE OF BURNT CDS RESIDENCE

Strong indications have emerged that the military has commenced investigation into the circumstances that led to the burning down of the residence of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, in Vintim, near Mubi on Thursday.
It was learnt that military authorities were particularly going after a person, who allegedly gave a wrong information to an Air Force fighter pilot and diverted his jet which was on a mission to attack the insurgents who raided Vintim.
It was not clear whether the misleading information emanated from the troops or from a fighter of the Boko Haram sect.
Aside from the residence of the CDS, the insurgents also burnt down a clinic donated by the CDS as well as the community’s civil centre.
A security operative, who spoke to one of our correspondents, said that the fighter jet deployed to halt the insurgents advance to Vintim was forced to beat a retreat when a yet-to-be identified person radioed the pilot that the insurgents on the grounds were men of the Nigerian Army and that he should not carry out any bombardment against them.
It was learnt that the pilot responded to the radio message and flew back to base before moving back to Vintim to carry out some bombardments. At this time, it had become too late to prevent the destruction that took place in the community.
It was learnt that several military personnel would be interrogated in relation with the incident.
“The military leaders are investigating possible sabotage in relation with what happened at the CDS residence in Vintim.
“When the aircraft came, somebody sent a wrong information to the pilot that the insurgents, who were heading towards Vintim, were soldiers of the Nigerian Army and should not be attacked.
“This made the pilot to pull back to base and later moved into Vintim where several of the insurgents were killed in the attacks.
“Of course, that did not prevent the burning of the CDS residence and other places in Vintim.
“All those involved would be interrogated in relation with this incident.”
When one of our correspondents contacted the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, he neither confirmed nor denied the said investigation.
The Defence spokesman said that he could only speak after getting every detail of the issues raised with him.
He said, “I will neither confirm nor deny until I ascertain every detail of the issues you are raising.”
Source: Punch