The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has declared that one of its Air fighter jets, an Alpha-Jet has gone missing.
According to NAF, the Alpha-Jet lost contact with radar in Borno state, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, said the mission was part of the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East. He said the loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 pm on 31 March 2021.
Speaking further, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the plane was “on routine mission in support of own troops at one of the Theatres of Operation in the Northern part of Nigeria”
“Details of the whereabouts of the aircraft or likely cause of contact loss are still sketchy but will be relayed to the general public as soon as they become clear. Meanwhile, search and rescue efforts are ongoing.” He added.
Moreover, Gabkwet did not specify whether the aircraft was lost in the North east or Northwest or even the North central part of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Air Force is engaged in various operations in the conflict zones, to give ground troops support.
It would be recalled that Air Force aircraft, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i, had on 21 February crashed after reporting engine failure on its way to Minna, Niger State.
However, the crashed plane was reportedly heading to conduct surveillance missions over Niger State and its environs in connection with the efforts to secure the release of the students/staff abducted from the Government Science College Kagara, Niger State.
The crash led to the death of Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain), Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot), Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist), Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist), Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist), Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist), and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
