Marshal Hassan Abubakar, head of the Air Force, apologized to Nasarawa State governor over a fatal airstrike in January 2023 which left many dead in Doma Local Government’s Rukubi area.
While visiting Governor Abdullahi Sule at Lafia Government House, Marshal Abubakar explained that the intention of Nigerian Air force was not to hurt innocent inhabitants. He recounted that upon receiving intelligence about suspected terrorists on motorcycles around Rukubi, the Air Force had engaged them tragically resulting to civilian casualties.
He expressed his concern over the security problems facing the state and promised that Nigeria’s air force is dedicated to fighting terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping throughout Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole.
In his words, “The Rukubi region was a place where people were very insecure and it had issues concerning kidnappings and terrorist acts. During that time, you might recall the abduction of six pupils in Doma LGA.
“The Nigerian Air Force needed to be watchful. Unfortunately, the airstrike accidentally led to the deaths of some civilians.
“Certainly, no military around the world would ever intentionally harm those it protects as happened in January 2023.
“We have been brought here (with Governor Sule) by seeking your intervention in negotiating with affected persons whose homes were bombed from unintended strikes in Rukubi.
“To reduce tensions and resolve this issue, we hope to reach out to victims, their nearest or dearest or even their proxies.”
The state governor commended the Air Force for its apology and readiness to compensate families affected by the mistaken airstrike.
The governor’s sentiment was deep-rooted in what had happened, including that nine children were killed and over 80 cows belonging to an old man during the airstrike
“I did not know what to do. I called on Miyetti Allah group for their assistance.”
“An older citizen of 80 years or so, wiped his eyes when he narrated how he lost around 80 cows and nine children in the airstrike.
“He asked me pitifully ‘what can be left for me here? I am childless and cattle-less, how can I survive Mr Governor?’”
“I comforted him by asking him to keep calm since we come into this world alone and we leave it alone but at last we will go back to our Creator with no worldly good things.
“His tears dried up after listening those words,” said the governor.