Air Force takes responsibility for Nasarawa air strike mishap, apologizes to deceased families

Francis Ikuerowo Metro 27/01/2024

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

The Nigerian Air Force has taken responsibility for and apologized to families of the deceased who were killed in the January 23rd 2023, airstrike in Rukubi border community between Nasarawa and Benue states.

News Round The Clock reported that the military air strike killed about 37 Fulani herders in the Doma local government area of Nasarawa state last year.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, disclosed this while on a courtesy visit to the emir of Lafia.

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He explained that the Air Force, acting on intelligence that some terrorists on motorcycles were operating in the area, carried out an airstrike operation which unfortunately killed innocent civilians.

“Thereafter, there was a lot of outcry by well-meaning Nigerians that several innocent civilians may have been killed during the airstrike.

He said further investigation into the incident revealed that several innocent civilians were unfortunately killed in the airstrike.

“Military were employed and paid to protect the lives and property of citizens and whenever the military is accused of killing innocent civilians it’s painful to us,” he said.

He added that his visit to Nasarawa state was to condole to the families of those who were affected in the airstrikes which according to him was highly regrettable.

On his part, the emir of Lafia Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed (rtd) described the visit of the Chief of Air Staff to the state as a new development.

According to the emir, “We have never witnessed this kind of visit before coming from an authorised organization to apologise to us and own up to a mistake committed in the course of carrying out a legitimate assignment.