INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION: Air Force jets crash

Two Nigerian Air Force jets taking part in the rehearsals for Nigeria’s 58th Independence anniversary celebrations have crashed.

The incident was confirmed by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, Director of Public Relations and Information.

He said in a statement, “I wish to confirm an air incident involving 2 Nigerian Air Force aircraft taking part in the rehearsals for the 58th Independence Day Celebrations.

“I thank God no nobody died. Details will be communicated later. Thank you”.

It was gathered that the crash occurred at the Mpape district adjacent to Maitama district, in Abuja.

However, speaking on the incident on Friday, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, said one of the pilots died, adding that a board of inquiry has been set up to unravel the cause of the crash.

“These officers have been rehearsing for the 58th anniversary of their country. Everybody was full of enthusiasm, excited to be part of the celebration. Unfortunately, we had this incident this afternoon.

“We have set up a board of enquiry to clearly understand what really happened. This was supposed to be the last rehearsal before the actual flying on the October 1.

“It is very unfortunate that we lost one of them, but we are also consoled by the fact that we have two of the pilots here who are in stable condition. They have been visited by the Chief of Staff and I have also visited them.

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“Like I said, this is something that has to do with the profession of flying combat aircraft and sometimes you can’t avoid these things from happening”,

Abubakar said the body of the deceased officer was deposited at the Air Force hospital and that the family had been properly briefed. He said the father and the wife had already visited the corpse, adding that the dead officer would be buried by 5:30 pm (on Friday).

“I think that is the tragic nature of our job. As combat pilots, sometimes terrible things happen and this is one of those days,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, who was sent by President Muhammadu Buhari along the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, to visit the two surviving co-pilots at the Defence Intelligence Agency Hospital, Abuja, expressed his grief over the incident.

He said, “I wish you quick recovery. The President said we should come and see you and wish you well. He is fully aware. He has been informed on what happened. We are proud of your service to your country.”

According to the Chief of Air Staff, Friday was the last rehearsal for the pilots in preparatory for the 58th Independence Anniversary to be held on Monday.

 

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