One of the pilots of the two aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) involved in an accident has been confirmed dead. This was disclosed on Friday in
One of the pilots of the two aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) involved in an accident has been confirmed dead. This was disclosed on Friday in a statement signed by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola. I wish to confirm an air incident involving 2 Nigerian Air Force aircraft taking part in the rehearsals for the 58th Independence Day Celebrations,” he said.
While Daramola did not state if the accident was a collision or a crash, one of the aircraft was reported to have gone up in flames before it eventually crashed. The Nigerian Air Force in a different press release later announced the death of one of its pilots who was involved in an accident.
“It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce that one of the pilots who successfully ejected from one of the F-7Ni aircraft that crashed earlier today has passed on. May his soul RIP,” Daramola said.
The identity of the dead pilot is Bello Baba-Ari, a Squadron Leader in the Nigeria Air Force. A government source explained how the accident happened. He said one of the jet’s wing clipped the other, forcing both to go down.
“Only one of the pilots was able to eject, the other one couldn’t. He is one of the best pilots in the Airforce and he died on the spot,” the source said.
He added that the pilot that ejected did not land well and has sustained a serious head injury. He said the survivor requires urgent surgery.
