The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has fulfilled its commitment to the people of Rukubi in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State with the official commissioning of a newly constructed community clinic. The project, a direct response to the accidental airstrike that occurred on January 24, 2023, was inaugurated by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule.
During the commissioning ceremony, Governor Sule commended the NAF for its sense of responsibility and commitment to reconciliation and healing. He stated that although the lives lost in the airstrike could never be replaced, the clinic serves as a significant step in rebuilding trust and restoring the dignity of the affected community.
“The Nigerian Air Force has not only shown humility but has demonstrated genuine efforts to correct a regrettable mistake. This clinic is a strong symbol of accountability and compassion,” the governor said.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, was the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola. In his remarks, AVM Daramola emphasized the NAF’s commitment to strengthening civil-military relations and contributing meaningfully to the welfare of host communities.
“This facility is not just a building; it is a reflection of our enduring commitment to peace, development, and our ongoing partnership with the people of Rukubi,” he said.
The Chairman of Doma Local Government, Hon. Jonathan Okuba Addra, also lauded the initiative and assured that qualified medical personnel would be deployed immediately to ensure the clinic becomes fully operational. He reaffirmed the local council’s readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the clinic provides much-needed healthcare services to residents of Rukubi and neighbouring communities.
The Rukubi community clinic project is part of broader efforts by the Nigerian Air Force to promote goodwill, support national development, and address the unintended consequences of military operations. The gesture has been widely applauded as a model for civil-military engagement in post-conflict rehabilitation.
The ceremony was attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, military officials, and members of the public who hailed the development as a significant milestone in the community’s healing journey.
