The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has issued an apology to the Nasarawa State government and the families of victims affected by an accidental airstrike that occurred in January 2023 in the Rukubi community of Doma Local Government Area.
Abubakar expressing regrets Friday, during a condolence visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule at Government House, Lafia, clarified that the airstrike was not deliberate.
TheFact Daily recalls an accidental air strike in which the force had bombed residents of Rukubi community in Doma, headquarters of Doma Local Government Area of the State, in January last year.
The Air Chief explained that NAF had received intelligence that some terrorists were sighted on motorcycles in a location around the Rukubi community, but in its efforts to confront them with weapons, innocent civilians in the area lost their lives.
“I Air Marshal Abubakar and my team are in the State to sympathize and condole the Government and people of the state over the killing of some herders in Rukubi community of Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, in a military airstrike in January of 2023.
“It is not news that the general area (Rukubi) at that time had been well known for its insecurity occasioned by kidnapping and terrorism. Within the period, you would recall that six primary school pupils were also kidnapped in Doma LGA.
“This, necessitated the surveillance by the Nigerian Air Force within the period of time. Unfortunately, the airstrike killed some civilians at the location. The unfortunate incident of January 2023 was in no way deliberate as no military the world over, will intentionally kill those it is mandated to protect.
“Therefore, our visit to you (Governor Sule) is to solicit your kind intervention in interfacing with the representatives of the victims of the accidental air strike at Rukubi. Our interest in initiating ways and means in reaching out to the victims, their families, or their representatives on the need to calm nerves and bring a close to the matter.”
Abubakar, while lamenting the prevailing security situation in the State, assured of NAF’s determination to end the menace of kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, and cattle rustling in the State and Nigeria as a whole.
Responding, Governor Sule appreciated the Nigerian Air Force for owning up to its mistakes and for agreeing to pacify the victims and relatives of the accidental strike.
