MINNA: A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet has crashed near Karabonde in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, with both pilots onboard confirmed to have survived the incident.
The crash was first reported on Saturday evening by a Niger State–based digital television outlet.
The post stated that the pilots ejected safely before the aircraft went down and was accompanied by a 57-second video from the scene.
An eyewitness also corroborated the incident to PUNCH Online through WhatsApp voice notes and video clips, confirming that the pilots successfully deployed their parachutes before impact.
I believe the aircraft took off from the Kainji Air Force Base, the eyewitness said, adding that military personnel were immediately mobilised to the crash site.
Further confirmation came from a resident of the area, Lukman Sulaiman, who toldOnline that the jet developed a fault shortly after take-off and was seen trailing smoke and flames as it approached the community at about 4:10 p.m.
We were in our homes when we saw the Alpha Jet flying very low with smoke and fire. Thankfully, it didn’t crash inside the town. The pilots managed to steer it away before ejecting safely into nearby bushes, he said.
scene of the crashed jets and carcass with villagers
According to Sulaiman, residents initially mistook the loud explosion for an attack, triggering panic and causing some people to flee. Others later moved closer to the scene and sighted the pilots, who had already been evacuated by military personnel.
“The aircraft burned for about 30 minutes. Since our town is close to a military base, soldiers responded quickly after an alarm was raised, and a fire truck was brought in, he added.
Videos obtained by Online showed the jet engulfed in flames at the crash site.
The Nigerian Air Force has officially confirmed the incident. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft experienced an in-flight emergency during a post-inspection functional check flight from NAF Base Kainji.
He explained that the pilots demonstrated professionalism by manoeuvring the aircraft away from populated areas before ejecting safely.
Shortly after take-off, the aircraft experienced an emergency, prompting the pilots to act swiftly and with remarkable composure.
They expertly manoeuvred the aircraft away from inhabited areas before executing a safe ejection, the statement read.
Ejodame added that the pilots are currently undergoing routine medical evaluation and have been commended by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, for their courage, discipline and sound judgment.
He also disclosed that a Board of Inquiry has been constituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to the highest safety standards and operational excellence, while safeguarding lives and property in line with its constitutional mandate,” Ejodame stated.
