A Nigerian Air Force jet has reportedly crashed near Karabonde, Borgu local government area of Niger State.
A Niger State-based online digital television network stated yesterday evening that: “Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu local government area of Niger State”, in a short post on its official handle, accompanied by a 57-second-long video.
Corroborating the incident, an eyewitness had earlier told newsmen that the two pilots successfully ejected before the aircraft went down. He said, “I think the aircraft took off from the Kainji Air Force base. We learnt that the air force is mobilising to the crash site”.
One of the villagers, who identified himself as Lukman Sulaiman, confirmed the incident to newsmen in a phone call, saying: “It happened some miles away from my home. Actually, the incident happened at Karabonde town, of Borgu local government area, at around 4:10.
“We were all at our respective homes when suddenly, we saw an Alpha Jet that was coming closer to our roof with smoke and flames. Thank God, it could have crashed inside town, but the pilots on board were able to control it and took it some miles away from our hometown. It landed in the backyard of the town. But God so kind, the two pilots ejected safely using their parachutes.
He said, “Immediately, the plane crashed, and we heard a loud sound. Some of us were scared. We were thinking it was miscreants who shot the place. When we heard it, some people ran away.
“But I stood, though I was somehow scared. People started running to the scene, and I joined them. When we got there, we saw the pilots. They had successfully ejected, and they left the scene shortly before we arrived; and they were taken successfully back to their base. Upon arrival, we saw them from a far distance, finding their way.
“The plane was on fire for about 30 minutes. My town shares a boundary with the military base, so upon raising an alarm, men from their base were mobilised, and a fire truck came”.
Two videos showed the jet engulfed in flames at the crash site.
Meanwhile, the military has yet to make any official communication about the crash as of the time of filing this report.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident in an issued statement yesterday, explaining that the aircraft developed an in-flight emergency.
He said the pilots manoeuvred the jet away from populated areas before ejecting and are currently undergoing medical evaluation.
Ejodame said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has praised the pilots for their courage, discipline, and sound judgment, which prevented loss of life.
He added that the Air Chief has directed the immediate constitution of a Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident.
