The missing Alpha jet of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF475, has been found. The jet was discovered to have crashed at Abba-Jille in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
In actual geographical terms, the crash location is approximately 30 kilometres outside Maiduguri, the Borno State capital in North East of Nigeria.
It was reported that “The fighter jet was seen flying around Goni Kurmiri and Njimia villages, after attacking terrorist locations at the Sambisa axis.”
There is, however, no information yet about the fate of the pilot and the co-pilot, as it was unknown whether they have been taken prisoners of war, or they parachuted into safety.
The jet was reported to have lost contact with radar on Wednesday evening, according to the spokesman of the Air Force, Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
Gabkwet said that the plane lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops.
He said, “The mission was part of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
“The loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 p.m. on 31 March 2021.”
Earlier on Friday, the Air Force had said that the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Alpha jet aircraft, NAF475, “that went off the radar with two crew members on board on 31 March 2021 might have crashed.”
In a statement signed by Gabkwet, the Air Force said, “The cause of the crash, as well as the whereabouts of the two pilots remain unknown.”
The Director of Public Relations and Information added, “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.”
