NIGERIAN AIR FORCE JET CRASHES IN NIGER STATE, TWO PILOTS REPORTED SURVIVED
A Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet has reportedly crashed near Karabonde in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon.
According to a post on the official Facebook account of Lapai TV, a Niger State-based digital network, the two pilots on board survived. “Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State,” the post read, which was accompanied by a 57-second video.
An eyewitness corroborated the incident through a WhatsApp voice note and a video, stating the pilots successfully ejected before the aircraft went down. The eyewitness suggested the jet likely took off from the Kainji Air Force base and noted that the air force was mobilizing to the crash site.
A villager, Lukman Sulaiman, confirmed the details by phone. “The incident happened around 4.10pm. It landed very close to town but God so good, the pilots ejected safely,” Sulaiman said. When asked if the pilots were uninjured, he added, “Yes, we heard a noisy landing crash. We were scared. But we eventually started trooping back to the scene.”
Two videos from the scene, available online, show the jet engulfed in flames at the crash site. As of the time of reporting, the Nigerian military has not issued an official statement regarding the crash.
