Bolaji Idowu
The Nigerian Air Force has released photographs of two pilots who narrowly escaped death after ejecting from their aircraft when it developed an in-flight emergency in Niger State.
In a post on its X handle on Sunday, the Force commended the officers for their “exceptional bravery and professionalism.”
The incident occurred on Saturday, during a routine post-maintenance test flight from the Kainji Air Base, when an Alpha Jet aircraft developed a fault and crashed near Karabonde village in Borgu Local Government Area of the state.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in an earlier statement on Saturday, said the pilots successfully manoeuvred the jet away from populated areas before ejecting safely. He confirmed that both officers were undergoing routine medical evaluation.
Ejodame added that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, had ordered the immediate constitution of a Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the incident.
“The Nigerian Air Force reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to stringent safety standards and operational excellence. The NAF remains dedicated to safeguarding its personnel while protecting the lives and property of citizens in line with its constitutional mandate,” the statement added.
The NAF’s Alpha Jets are primarily used for training and air-to-ground missions and have been deployed extensively in internal security operations across the country.
