Nigerian Air Force’s missing Alpha jet has been found. It was found to have crashed at Abba-Jille in Konduga LGA of Borno State.
The location of the crash is approx 30Kms outskirt from the city of Maiduguri.
PR Nigeria reported that the fighter jet was seen flying around Goni Kurmiri and Njimia villages after attacking terrorist locations at the Sambisa axis.
There was no word yet on the fate of the pilot and co-pilot, whether they ejected safely or have been captured by insurgency fighters.
The plane was reported to have lost contact with the radar on Wednesday evening, according to Air Force spokesman, Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
He said the plane lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops.
“The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East.
“The loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 p.m. on 31 March 2021.
Recall that the Nigerian Air Force had on Thursday delcared its aircraft missing. Gabkwet in a terse statement on Wednesday night said the unspecified aircraft lost radar contact when on a mission.
He did not state how many people were on aboard.
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”.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to locate its whereabouts. Details to follow”.
Gabkwet did not specify whether the aircraft was lost in the North east or Northwest or even the North central part of Nigeria.
In a further update, Gabkwet clarified that the plane is an Alpha jet and was missing in Borno.
“A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha-Jet has lost contact with radar in Borno state, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops. The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. The loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 pm on 31 March 2021.
“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.”
The Nigerian Air Force is engaged in various operations in the conflict zones, to give ground troops support.
On 21 February, an Air Force plane on a mission to Minna Niger state crashed in Abuja.
All the six persons aboard the B350 aircraft died as it crash-landed on the final approach path of Abuja Runway 22.
The Nigerian Air Force is one of Africa’s largest.
In its fleet are 8 Chinese Chengdu F-7s, 13 Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jets, 3 JF-17 Thunders Block II with more on order.
It will soon receive six of the 12 Super Tucano aircraft ordered from US.
It has also placed an order for 24 M-346 FAs, Helicopter gunships, armed attack drones and military transport aircraft.
