NAF Names Pilots Of Missing Alpha Jet As Whereabouts Remain Unknown

Nigerian Air Force has disclosed names of pilots of the missing Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475).

It said the pilots of the aircraft which may have crashed are Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele, according to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet

This is even as reports indicated that the aircraft may have been found crashed at Abba-Jille in Borno State’s Konduga LGA, about 30 kilometers outside of Maiduguri’s city limits.

The full text of the statement reads:

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 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.

EDWARD GABKWET,
Air Commodore, Director of Public Relations and Information 2 April 2021