TheCable

The federal government says some people on social media gloated over the disappearance of a fighter jet operated by the Nigeria Air Force (NAF).

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, described the development as “abhorrent”, adding that no patriotic Nigerian would do that to its military.

The minister urged Nigerians to support the military in its effort to rid the north-east of insurgents.

“I have read, especially on social media, some dead-enders who are gloating at the disappearance of the NAF aircraft,” Mohammed said.

“This is abhorrent and condemnable, and couldn’t have come from true-born Nigerians.

“No patriotic citizen will denigrate his or her country’s military for fighting to protect the nation’s territorial integrity and ensuring peace and security. None.

“While we await word from the Air Force on the ongoing search and rescue efforts, this development has once again accentuated the huge sacrifices being made by our men and women in uniform to keep our country safe and to make sure we sleep well at night.”

The minister said the soldiers are putting their lives on the line to ensure that the country is safe.

“When they leave their homes, there is no guarantee they will return,” he said.

“Yet, they soldier on! This is one of the reasons why we launched a national campaign to seek support for our military and other security agencies on February 2.”

The fighter jet disappeared in March while on a mission to support troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents.

The Abubakar Shekau-led faction of Boko Haram had released a video clip claiming responsibility for the crash — but the video has been found to be doctored.