Boko Haram video claiming to have brought down a fighter jet was doctored – Analysts

Some analysts have argued that Boko Haram video claiming to have brought down a fighter jet was doctored.

Recall that the fighter jet NAF 475 went off the radar on Wednesday while on a mission to provide support to ground troops fighting Boko Haram.

As at time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the two pilots remain known and the Nigerian air force had stated that it is still on a search and rescue mission.

The Abubakar Shekau-led faction of Boko Haram on Friday had claimed responsibility for the incident.

In a video released by the insurgents, an aircraft was seen on fire mid-air.

The insurgents, who claimed to have shot the jet down, are later seen at the crash site making a mockery of the Nigerian military.

A Sweden-based analyst identified as Hugo Kaaman while commenting on the video said the supposed explosion of the jet was from a 2012 video.

“Boko Haram just released a video claiming it shows a NAF jet shot down by the group. Looking at the video, it appears as if the jet explodes mid-air. However, this is not true. BH took a 2012 video showing a SyAAF helicopter exploding mid-air over Idlib and superimposed it. Weak,” he tweeted.

He said while the jet really crashed, “this video merely highlights Boko Haram’s fake footage of the shootdown itself”.

Calibre Obscura, another analyst, said the Boko Haram video was “deceptively edited,” as it is unclear what caused the crash.

“I’d say HMG/cannon fire or mechanical issues,” the analyst added.

War Noir, an analyst who also checked the video, said it “seems to be edited” and that the “airplane is likely damaged before (not by MANPADS but likely by other weapons, perhaps HMG)”.