The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has released the names of its officers aboard the Alpha Jet that went missing in Borno State, Wednesday.
NAF also said investigation indicates that the jet might have crashed.
In a statement released by the spokesperson of NAF, Edward Gabkwet, the force said the pilots on the missing jet are Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.
His statement reads: “Intelligence report gathered by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) indicates that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar with 2 crew members on board on 31 March 2021 might have crashed.
“The cause of the crash as well as the whereabouts of the 2 pilots remain unknown. The pilots are Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.
“Extensive search and rescue efforts are still ongoing by NAF surveillance aircraft as well as NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops on ground.
“At this point, the NAF is not ruling out anything regarding the incident. It however remains hopeful that the crew would soon be found and rescued,” he said.
The Alpha Jet was carrying out a mission against Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State when it went missing at about 6 p.m, officials had said.
There were reports that the fighter jet was seen flying around Goni Kurmiri and Njimia villages after attacking terrorist locations at the Sambisa axis before it went missing.
The plane was reported to have lost contact with the radar on Wednesday evening, according to NAF spokesman, Commodore Gabkwet, The New Diplomat had earlier reported.
