By Tunde Adetunji , Abuja
The Board of Inquiry set up by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to look into the immediate and remote causes of the fracas that occurred between Osun State University (Uniosun) students and its personnel, Thursday submitted its report.
Releasing the report to the media in Abuja, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya said the report revealed that an airman of the NAF, who was allegedly relating with cultists and gangsters from UNIOSUN, was indeed involved in the fracas.
Adesanya noted that there were certain fundamental issues, which the report did not adequately address, noting that necessary directives have therefore been issued for the report to be further enriched.
According to him, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has further directed that necessary steps be taken towards mending the relationship between members of the Uniosun community, on the one side, by organising a novelty football match between members of both communities.
The report reads: “Being a highly professional force, with utmost respects for human rights, the NAF immediately commenced formal investigations into the reported unfortunate incidence and also assured the general public that any NAF personnel found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate laws
“Consequently, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has directed that appropriate charges be immediately preferred against the airman, in compliance with the provisions of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“The CAS has further directed that necessary steps be taken towards mending the relationship between members of the UNIOSUN Community, on the one side, and the NAF personnel in Ipetu Ijesha, on the other side. One of such steps would be the organization of a novelty football between members of both communities.
“It is important to reiterate that the unfortunate incidence is not a reflection of what the NAF stands for and once again, inconveniences to all concerned parties are highly regretted,” the report added
It would be recalled that on 24 May 2017, there were reports of some Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel being involved in a fracas on the campus of the University of Osun State (UNIOSUN), Ipetu Ijesha.