The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commended two of its pilots for what it described as exceptional bravery and professionalism after they safely ejected from an Alpha Jet aircraft that developed an in-flight emergency in Niger State.
NAF, in a statement posted on its official X handle on Sunday, said the officers ejected moments before the aircraft crashed near Karabonde village in Borgu Local Government Area during a routine post-maintenance test flight from Kainji Air Base on Saturday.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the pilots ensured the jet was manoeuvred away from populated areas before ejecting. He confirmed that both officers were receiving routine medical evaluation.
Ejodame added that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, had directed the immediate constitution of a Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the incident.
According to him, NAF remains committed to strict safety standards and operational excellence while ensuring the protection of its personnel and the civilian population.
Alpha Jets are used primarily for training and air-to-ground operations and have been deployed extensively in internal security missions across the country.