Nigerian Airforce releases names of pilots on missing jet
Says intelligence report suggests the jet might have crashed
The Nigerian Air Force has said its Alpha Jet aircraft that went missing during an operation in Northern Nigeria on Wednesday, March 31, might have crashed.
A statement released by Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force, states that the intelligence report gathered so far indicates the aircraft might have crashed.
The pilots on the flight, according to the statement, were Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.
Gabkwet disclosed that the whereabouts of the aircraft remains unknown.
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 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 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.”
