Crashed NAF Aircraft Was On Mission For Kidnapped Students |The Source

By Adesina Soyooye

But for the kidnap of the students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara, the NAF Aircraft which crashed Sunday morning, could not have crashed. Meaning that the seven very young Airforce Personnel who perished in the crash in Abuja could not have died.

The Airforce personnel were on a Surveillance mission to Niger State and environs  for the rescue of the abducted when they met their violent death. The plane had an engine problem after take off, and crashed on the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while making a return. It was in flames as it crashed.

So, in addition to the lone student shot dead by the bandits on the school compound, the bandits’ operation has cost the lives of seven more young souls.

Confirming their mission in a Press Statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Airforce, NAF, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, released the identities of the  dead, and said that the Chief of the Airforce, in company with the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Aviation, have visited the scene of the crash.

Following, the statement by Air Vice Marshal  Daramola, entitled:

Update On Air Accident Involving Nigerian Air Force Aircraft

1. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), earlier today, 21 February 2021, confirmed that one of its aircraft, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF 201), crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja after reporting engine failure enroute Minna, where it was 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.
2. As earlier stated, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, has instituted an investigative panel to determine the remote and immediate causes of the accident. While the panel has commenced its work, the NAF, having notified the Next of Kins/family members of the deceased, regretfully announces that the following 7 personnel lost their lives in the crash:
3. Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain).
4. Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot).
5. Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist).
6. Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist).
7. Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist).
8. Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist).
9. Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
10.    Earlier, the CAS visited the scene of the accident, in company of the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retired); Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor, and other Service Chiefs. The CAS, on behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, once more commiserates with the families of the deceased personnel and prays that the Almighty God grants their souls eternal repose.
11.    You are please requested to use your medium to disseminate this information for the awareness of the general public.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement on his behalf by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, while mourning  the dead,  extended his condolences to NAF and the families of the victims.