A military aircraft en route Minna, Niger State, crashed close to the runway of the Abuja Airport on Sunday after reporting engine failure, killing 7 officers of the Nigerian Air Force.
Eyewitnesses narrated that the pilot struggled to control the jet, which would have crashed in a residential area, into a bush where it eventually crashed.
The Nigerian Air Force released the names of the seven officers who died in the plane crash.
In a statement, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal IO Amao, has ordered an immediate probe of the accident.
Daramola said, “Scheduled to conduct surveillance missions over Niger State and its environs in connection with the concerted efforts to secure the release of the students/staff abducted from the Government Science College Kagara, Niger State”.
The names of the identified officers include,
Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain).
Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot).
Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist).
Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist).
Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist).
Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist).
Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
