2023 Nasarawa Air Strike Was Not Intentional – NAF

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar has come out to apologize to the Nasarawa State Government for the accidental air strike which claimed the lives of many residents of the Rukubi community in the Doma Local Government Area of the state in January 2023.

He recently had his say during a visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House, Lafia, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, the airstrike which unleashed mayhem on residents of the area was not an intentional act by officers of the Nigerian Air Force, and it was simply an unfortunate incident.

He added that visiting the Governor is their way of asking him to intervene in interfacing with the representatives of the victims.

His words, “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 the 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 is on the need to calm nerves and bring a close to the matter.”