One year following a military air strike that resulted in the death of approximately 37 Fulani herders in the Doma local government area of Nasarawa state, the Nigerian Air Force has issued apologies to the families of the deceased.

The fatalities occurred during the airstrike on January 23, 2023, in the Rukubi border community situated between Nasarawa and Benue states.

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

Abubakar who who apologized to the families of the deceased accepted responsibility for the Air bombardment on the victims who were mostly youths while offloading their cows released to them by the Benue state government said the action was
accidental.

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 truly, in deed several innocent civilians were killed in the airstrike.

The Chief of Air Staff said the organisation is poised to continue to provide the needed service in the interest of Nigerians. “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.

However, he added that his visit to Nasarawa state was to condole to the families of those who were affected in the air raid which according to him was highly reheatable.

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 novel.

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.

The emir, however, states that the traditional institution will continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies as the they take measures to tackle insecurity in the state.