CAS Addresses Victims of January 2023 Accidental Air Strikes in Nasarawa
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, made a significant visit to Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, on January 26, 2024. During his visit, he met with families and victims affected by the accidental air strikes that occurred on January 24, 2023, near Rukubi in Doma Local Government Area (LGA). The purpose of the meeting was to address concerns and offer explanations regarding the unfortunate incident.
ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: I’m giving everything to come home with the trophy — Victor Osimhen
Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, upon reviewing incident reports related to the air strikes, acknowledged that innocent civilians may have been erroneously killed or injured during the operation. Expressing regret over the incident, he clarified that it was not a deliberate act but an operation targeted at suspected terrorists and cattle rustlers in response to heightened insecurity in the area at that time.
In his address to the families and victims, Air Marshal Abubakar emphasised “the primary responsibility of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to safeguard the lives and properties of all Nigerians. Hence, the NAF would not intentionally engage in actions that put the lives of Nigerians at risk,” he said, explaining that the interface with the affected parties, signifies NAF’s commitment to conflict resolution, reconciliation, and rebuilding trust between the military and the civilian population.
Prior to meeting with the families, Air Marshal Abubakar engaged with the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, seeking his support in facilitating discussions with the victims’ representatives. He emphasised that such engagements would help answer important questions, promote accountability, transparency, and enable the NAF to learn valuable lessons to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The CAS stressed the importance of accountability and transparency, highlighting NAF’s commitment to taking responsibility for its actions and demonstrating humanitarian concern for civilians adversely affected by ongoing air operations.
The visit and discussions with victims and stakeholders underscore NAF’s dedication to addressing grievances and fostering understanding within the communities impacted by its activities.
CAS Addresses Victims of January 2023 Accidental Air Strikes in Nasarawa