Jet Crash: Flight Officer Identified, NAF Prepares Official Response

There is confusion over the Nigerian Air Force Alpha jet that reportedly crashed during a mission on Sunday.

It was gathered that the jet routinely conducts air raids on the Kaduna-Katsina-Zamfara environs.

Naija News had earlier reported that the aircraft crashed in Kaduna during an operation. There was no mention of casualty.

Sources close to the military that spoke on the incident which has not been confirmed by NAF said there was indeed a crash but the pilot survived.

The identity of the flight officer (name withheld) is now known. He winged the jet that eliminated more than 120 bandits in multiple airstrikes executed at Sububu forest in Zamfara on July 12.

It was disclosed that the operation was carried out following the alert by locals to security personnel that scores of criminals in vehicles and motorcycles were gathering.

The pilot, after a reconnaissance aircraft dispatched to recce confirmed the presence of the bandits, rained bombs on targets at Sububu, Jajani, and Dammaka.

NAF Director of Information, Edward Gabkwet told the media on Sunday that there was no crash. “I am making contact and awaiting information from other locations,” he said.

“NAF cannot confirm such an incident without locating the aircraft. What is paramount to the military is the well-being of gallant pilots and troops. I heard a search is ongoing”, a source said.

The Air Force and intelligence units zeroed in on two areas after the jet went off the radar between 12 noon and 1:30 pm yesterday.

These are Birnin Gwari Local Government Area between Kaduna and Katsina States, and the axis of Funtua (in Katsina) and Gusau in (Zamfara).