A Nigerian Air Force jet reportedly crashed near Karabonde, in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Lapai TV, a Niger State-based online digital television network, declared in a post on its official Facebook account on Saturday evening:
“Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State,” said the short message, which was accompanied by a 57-second video.
Corroborating the incident, an eyewitness told reporters that the two pilots successfully ejected before the aircraft crashed.
He said, “I think the aircraft took off from the Kainji air force base. We learned that the air force is mobilizing to the crash site.”
The jet crash was confirmed by a villager who identified himself as Lukman Sulaiman.
“The incident happened around 4.10pm. It landed very close to town, but God is so good; the pilots ejected safely,” he said.
Speaking on if the pilots were uninjured, he stated, “Yes, we heard a noisy landing crash. We were scared. But we eventually started trooping back to the scene.”
Two videos obtained by Chronicle NG show the jet engulfed in flames at the crash site.
At the time of filing this report, the military had yet to make any official communication about the crash.
Details later…
