Abuja jets crash: Nigerian Air Force begins probe into incident

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has instituted an air crash investigation, to determine the remote and immediate causes of its two F-7Ni aircraft, involved in an air incident on Friday in Mpape, Abuja.

This was confirmed by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

“Two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) F-7Ni aircraft taking part in the rehearsals for the aerial display to mark Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary Celebrations were involved in an air incident on Friday.

“The air mishap necessitated the three pilots to eject from their aircraft, which subsequently crashed in the general area of Katamkpe Hill.

“Regrettably, however, one of them later died due to complications from injuries sustained upon impact on the ground. Thankfully, there were no civilian casualties.

“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, commiserates with the family of the deceased officer.

“The CAS has also instituted an air crash investigation to determine the remote and immediate causes of the incident,” Daramola said.

The two NAF aircraft had crashed on Friday morning in the FCT, when they were performing rehearsal for Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary in the territory.