Missing Air Force fighter jet might have crashed - NAF

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said the fighter jet that went missing early this week might have crashed.

The Alpha-Jet aircraft (NAF475) while providing ground support to some troops during a routine counterinsurgency mission against Boko Haram lost radar contact on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

An update by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet on Friday, April 2, 2021, said intelligence indicates the aircraft possibly crashed.

He said the cause of the crash remains unknown, but that the Force is still searching for the two pilots on board with surveillance aircraft and ground troops.

The pilots were identified as Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.

"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," he said.

Seven personnel of the Force died in February when an aircraft crashed in Abuja after reporting engine failure, according to Pulse.ng

The aircraft had been on its way to Niger State to help in the rescue efforts of school students kidnapped by bandits.