Islamic militant group Boko Haram released footage showing the remains of a Nigerian Air Force jet that they claimed to have shot down and the beheading of a man they identified as a captured pilot.
Two Nigerian pilots and a jet have been missing since September 11, failing to return from a bombing raid against Boko Haram. In the Boko Haram video, the man who is executed identifies himself as a pilot, adding that his co-pilot remains unaccounted for.
The Nigerian government dismissed the claims, with army spokesperson Dele Alonge saying,
Two weeks ago, 12 soldiers were sentenced to death by firing squad, charged with mutiny and attempted murder of their commander.
Two Nigerian pilots and a jet have been missing since September 11, failing to return from a bombing raid against Boko Haram. In the Boko Haram video, the man who is executed identifies himself as a pilot, adding that his co-pilot remains unaccounted for.
The Nigerian government dismissed the claims, with army spokesperson Dele Alonge saying,
“The man shown in the Boko Haram video is not our officer. The picture of a man beheaded in the video is superimposed. Our plane is still missing and we are looking for it. Boko Haram is making unfounded claims.”The release of the video comes as a Nigerian court-martial began against 97 soldiers, including 16 officers, accused of “mutiny, assault and cowardice” after refusing to fight against Boko Haram.
Two weeks ago, 12 soldiers were sentenced to death by firing squad, charged with mutiny and attempted murder of their commander.