Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has said that its aircraft was scheduled to conduct surveillance missions over Niger State and its environs, in connection with efforts to secure the release of the students and staff abducted from Government Science College Kagara, Niger State, when it experienced engine failure enroute Minna.
In a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshall Ibikunle Daramola, it confirmed that one of its aircraft, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF 201), crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja after reporting the engine failure.
The NAF spokesman also reiterated that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, had instituted an investigative panel “to determine the remote and immediate causes of the accident.”
“While the panel has commenced its work, the NAF, having notified the next of kin’s and family members of the deceased, regretfully announces that the following seven personnel lost their lives in the crash,” he added.
Daramola listed the names of the deceased as Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain), Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot), Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS Specialist), and Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist).
Others are Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist), Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist), and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
AVM Daramola stated further that the Chief of the Air Staff had visited the scene of the accident, in company with the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retired); Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor, and other Service Chiefs.
“The Chief of Air Staff, on behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, once more commiserates with the families of the deceased personnel and prays that the Almighty God grant their souls eternal repose,” the statement read further.
