A Nigerian Air Force Super Mushak aircraft has crashed in Kaduna State, killing the two pilots on board the aircraft.
The aircraft which was built in Pakistan, was said to be on a training flight as part of activities lined up to mark the Nigerian Air Force day slated for May, 14, when it crashed Tuesday afternoon.
Already the bodies of the two pilots said to be in the ranks of Flight Lieutenants, an equivalent of a Captain in the Nigerian Army, have been recovered and deposited in NAF Hospital, Kaduna, while the authorities are making contacts with their families.
The NAF, is yet to issue a statement on the crash. A message sent to the NAF spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on the crash was not responded to as at the time of filing this report.
A source at the NAF headquarters who declined anonymity said that a statement would be issued as soon as the authorities of the force make contact with the families. For now the source also said that the identities of the deceased officers are still kept secret and would be made public after due consultations with the families.
The incident of the crash has thrown the entire NAF family into a mourning mood, which may result to a low key 2022 NAF day celebrations.
The crash Tuesday, brings to four the total number of NAF, aircraft that crashed between 2021 and 2022.
In 2021 alone the Beechcraft KingAir350i which killed all seven officers on board in Abuja on March 21, 2021; the Alpha Jet which crashed while supporting troops in the North-East on April 3, 2021, and the Beechcraft 350 conveying former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and ten other officers on board the aircraft at the Kaduna Airport.
The NAF has suffered the loss of a total of eleven crashes Between August 29, 2015, and 2021, killing no fewer than 33 officers.
