Chief of Air Staff arrives Borno as military intensifies search for missing aircraft

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has arrived in Borno State as the Nigerian Air Force continue efforts to recover the missing Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet which went missing on Wednesday evening after it lost contact with the radar.

This was contained in a statement released by the spokesperson to NAF, Edward Gabkwet on Thursday.

He said the CAS “arrived Maiduguri this morning and was briefed on ongoing search and rescue efforts in connection with the missing Alpha Jet aircraft.

Gabkwet said Amao “urged pilots, engineers and technicians to remain undeterred and resolute in their commitment to ensuring that peace returns to the North East.”

The missing aircraft was supporting troops at one of the Theatres of Operation in the Northern part of the country.

The NAF spokesperson is however yet to disclose the number of officers onboard in the missing craft amid other details.

The missing plane incident happens just weeks after a NAF Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed on Sunday, February 21 in Abuja.

The aircraft crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after reporting engine failure en route Minna.

All seven of the NAF personnel on board the aircraft died.

The NAF personnel who died in that crash were: Haruna Gadzama, Henry Piyo, Micheal Okpara, Bassey Etim, Olasunkanmi Olawumi, Ugochukwu Oluka and Adewale Johnson.