NAF says pilots, Alpha-jet still missing, releases names of personnel

The Nigerian Air Force on Friday said its missing Alpha-jet aircraft (NAF475) might have crashed.

NAF had, on April 1, declared missing one of its Alpha-jets missing after losing contact with radar in Borno.

The two pilots in the missing jet were identified as Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.

The cause of the crash and the whereabouts of the pilots remain unknown, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF spokesperson, said in a statement.

In February, a military aircraft King Air 350, crashed just before reaching the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport runway after reporting engine failure en route to Minna.

Read the full statement below.

UPDATE ON MISSING NAF ALPHA JET AIRCRAFT

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 March 31 2021 might have crashed.

The cause of the crash as well as the whereabouts of the 2 pilots remain 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.

EDWARD GABKWET

Air Commodore

Director of Public Relations and Information