By Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
Five names out of the seven persons who died in the crash involving the Beechcraft KingAir B350i plane near Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja have been identified.
The names of the five personnel lost to incident were given as: Flight Lt. Gadzama, Flight Lt. Piyo, Flying Officer Okpara, Flight Sergeant Olawumi and ACM Johnson.
However, the names of the two crew members onboard the plane were not immediately confirmed as of the time of this reporting.
Initially, there were uncertainties on the casualty figure recorded in the air crash. But the Spokesperson of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshall Ibikunle Daramola has now confirmed that 7 persons were onboard the ill-fated military plane when it crashed on Sunday morning.
According to him, the plane crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna, Niger State capital.
He stated that first responders are at the scene of the incident, while the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Amao has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
Daramola’s tweet reads: “This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash.
“@CAS_IO has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. While urging the general public to remain calm & await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased.”
