Air chief visits Nasarawa over accidental airstrike, says deaths of ‘innocent citizens’ painful

Hassan Abubakar, chief of air staff, says it is painful that many innocent citizens lost their lives during the “accidental airstrike” that occurred in Nasarawa state last year.

In January 2023, about 27 persons were reportedly killed following an explosion in Doma LGA of the state.

After the incident, Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, said the explosion was not conducted by the NAF aircraft.

Sule said the explosion was carried out by a drone, adding that the operators were yet to be identified.

According to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the explosion occurred when some herders went to retrieve their seized cattle from the Benue livestock guards.

Speaking on Friday during a visit to the community, the chief of air staff said the force acted on intelligence that terrorists were operating in the area.

Abubakar said the airstrike was necessitated by the cases of criminal activities, violent attacks, killings and abduction of students in the state.

“The airstrike was conducted after a series of intelligence sighting terrorist elements on motorcycles operating in the area,” NAN quoted the chief of air staff as saying.

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

“This agitated our minds because there is no military the world over; no matter what, the military is employed and paid to protect the lives and property of citizens and whenever the military is accused of killing innocent civilians, it is painful to us.

“So, we had to go back and initiate a detailed and more thorough investigation into that incident.

“Sadly, further investigation into the incident revealed that truly, a number of innocent civilians were killed in the airstrike.

“This is what prompted our visit to Nasarawa State today to offer our condolences to the government and the families of those affected and bring closure to the unfortunate accident.”

The chief of air staff said the visit would help the force to be accountable, adding that measures have been taken to prevent future reoccurrence.

On his part, Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, commended the air force for the move, adding that it would help in resolving the matter.