From Suleiman Abubakar
The Nigerian Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has shouldered responsibility for the January 23, 2023 airstrike in Rukubi Community, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, which killed 37 people.
He stated this in a meeting to console with the families of the victims at the Palace of the Emir of Lafia over the incident.
According to the NAF Chief, criminal activities and terrorist attacks, including the abduction of primary school pupils, necessitated the air operation in the area.
He further explained that a report by the Air Force intelligence indicated that some terrorists on motorcycles were operating within the vicinity, leading to the death of innocent civilians.
“The airstrike was conducted after a series of intelligence sightings of terrorist elements on motorcycles operating in the area.
“This is what prompted our visit to Nasarawa State today to offer our condolences to the government and the families of those affected and bring closure to the unfortunate accident,” he said.
He also noted that the visit would help the Air Force to be accountable and ensure transparency in all their operations.
The Chief of the Air Staff, therefore, said that they had taken measures to forestall the repeat of such incidents in the future.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state,
commended the Air Force and other security agencies for their roles in keeping peace in the state and promised to continue to support them in their operations.
Responding on behalf the the families of the victims, Retired Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, the Emir of Lafia, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and Chief of the Air Staff for the condolences.
He said the families and the people of the state have accepted the apology by the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, saying that it would go a long way in the healing process.
“We express our deep appreciation to the Nigerian Air Force under the leadership of the Chief of the Air Staff for this visit.
“This is something new, that an authority like the Nigerian Air Force having conducted an authorised duty but an accident occured on the line of duty, for them to accept and come back to apologise is something that has not happened before. According to him.
