Update on the Nigerian Air Force plane that crashed in Kaduna
According to Metronews247, a plane belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) crashed in Kaduna.
The aircraft is a training plane, according to online media with ties to Nigeria’s security establishments.
“While specifics of the incident are still unclear,” the newspaper stated, “sources told Metronews247 that two pilots were onboard the plane at the time of the incident.”
At the time of publication, the Air Force had not to comment on the disaster. Edward Gabkwet, the organization’s spokesperson, did not answer to Metronews247’s phone calls and SMS.
However, a flying officer who did not want his name used in this article corroborated the occurrence.
One of the two occupants of the plane was a trainee, according to the officer, who is also a pilot and lives at the Air Force base in Kaduna.
Insiders, he said, are still in the dark about the details because senior authorities are keeping the information hidden.
In Northern Nigeria, Kaduna is one of the states plagued by banditry.
ⓘ Hundreds of people have been killed or kidnapped in the state in the past year.
Kaduna is also the state where, on March 28, bandits assaulted a moving train, killing some people and capturing many more.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has suffered casualties in the last one year, losing at least four of its aircraft and several personnel.
At least 20 officers also died during these tragic incidents, including senior army personnel.
The most notable of the crashes was the one involving the late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 others last year.
The crashes occurred even as the air force is trying to acquire more equipment to help in the fight against insurgents and bandits in various parts of the country.
The most recent is the acquisition of new aircraft and other equipment worth $1 billion from the U.S. government. The purchase has been approved by the U.S. government but the equipment have yet to be delivered.
Before then, 12 Super Tucano fighter jets were also acquired for the Air Force from the United States.
The jets were sold to Nigeria by the U.S. to aid combat actions and air assaults.
