The Nigerian Air Force has said that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar on Wednesday may have crashed with the cause unknown.
Spokesman for NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet disclosed this in a statement entitled ‘Update on missing NAF Alpha Jet Aircraft’.
He said two pilots were on board the aircraft which was declared missing on March 31.
Gabkwet gave the names of the pilots as Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.
He said their whereabouts remained unknown adding that search and rescue efforts “are still ongoing by NAF surveillance aircraft as well as NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops on the ground.”
The statement reads: “Intelligence report gathered by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) indicates that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar with 2 crew members on board on 31 March 2021 might have crashed.
“The cause of the crash as well as the whereabouts of the 2 pilots remains unknown. 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 the ground.
“At this point, the NAF is not ruling out anything regarding the incident. It however remains hopeful that the crew would soon be found and rescued.”
