Missing Alpha Jet May Have Crashed, Pilots' Whereabouts Unknown— NAF

Intelligence report gathered by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) indicates that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar with 2 crew members on board on 31 March 2021 might have crashed.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who disclosed this early Friday, said the cause of the crash as well as the whereabouts of the 2 pilots remain unknown. 

 According to him the pilots of the ill-fated aircraft are Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.

 He added that extensive search and rescue efforts are still ongoing by NAF surveillance aircraft as well as NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops on ground.

 “At this point, the NAF is not ruling out anything regarding the incident. It however remains hopeful that the crew would soon be found and rescued.