From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia
Emir of Lafia Retired Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed has commended the authority of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for identifying with the families of the 2023 airstrike accident that led to the dead of 39 herders in Rukubi community in Doma LGC of Nasarawa state
The Emir who gave the commendation at the weekend in his palace in Lafia the state capital when the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar led top ranking officers of the NAF to condole him (Emir) and the families of those who lost their loved ones during the air disaster last year, described the visit as historic.
He said: “We have never seen this kind of visit before coming from a higher Authority to apologise to us and the entire state for a mistake committed in course of discharging your legitimate duty.”
Also, the paramount ruler stressed that the traditional institution in the state will continue to do its best and collaborate with the security operatives toward combating crime in the state .
On his part the Chief of Air Staff, Air, Marshal Hassan Abubakar noted that the visit was basically to condole the Families of those who were affected in the unfortunate Airstrike on the 26th January 2023, describing the incidence as painful , assuring that such mistake would not happen again.
He added that the NAF acting base on intelligence that some Terrorists were on motor cycles operating in the area which prompted the NAF to carryout Airstrike which unfortunately killed innocent civilians ; added that a situation where there was a lot of outcry by some many Nigerians.
He said “Military were 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”.
He further assured the people of the state that NAF will continue to exert more effort in combating crime in the state ; calling on the stakeholders to assist them with useful information about the bad eggs in the society .
