NAF officers manhandle The Guardian reporter for snapping crashed jets

A photojournalist with The Guardian, Philip Ojisua, Friday was physically assaulted by officers of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) for taking pictures at the scene of the two NAF jets that collided and crashed earlier today in Kubwa, in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja.

Despite showing the officers his identity and pass as an Aso Villa correspondent, the officers went ahead to physically harm him, seized his camera and removed the memory card containing pictures taken of the wreckage.

Ojisua was the first journalist to get to the scene of the crash site.

However, Air Force spokesman Ibikunle Daramola has confirmed the crash. He said there was no fatality.

“I wish confirm an air incident involving 2 Nigerian Air Force aircraft taking part in the rehearsals for the 58th Independence Day Celebrations,” he said.

“Thankfully, no lives were lost.”