Jos — The Nigeria Airforce (NAF) stationed in Jos has denied the allegation that military men took sides with warring factions during the sectarian crisis in Jos, saying that "no military personnel was ordered to shoot people but rather, they were instructed to protect lives and property that were endangered."

NAF commandant, Group Captain Stephen Affiku, who spoke during a chat with pressmen, said the command only acted promptly by mobilising almost all its men to support the police in quelling the crisis.

According to him, "no fewer than 550 airmen were deployed to support the joint operation of the police, army and SSS in the crisis."

He disclosed that the command did not record any death in the crisis aside the three airmen who were injured by stray bullets.

The commandant also disclosed that his barracks was used as a refugee camp, pointing out that immediately people who had fled their homes started trooping into the barracks, the Air Force School and hospital were opened up to them.

On the allegation of low morale among the Air Force personnel during the crisis, Group Captain Affiku said to the best of his knowledge, "the Plateau State government did its best to cater for the need of the soldiers during the operation."

He also reiterated the readiness of the command not to spare any of his men who used the crisis to extort money from the members of the public and called for the restoration of peace in the state.

Group Captain Stephen Affiku, who only recently took over the command of the 33 NAF base, explained that everything possible would be done to enlighten his men on the need to conform with democratic ideals, saying that "the Nigerian constitution is clear about this and everybody must respect it whether military or civilian."