NAF moves to investigate aircraft mishap in Kaduna

From: Femi  Oyelola, Kaduna

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has constituted an accident investigation board to find the cause of its aircraft (super Mushshak trainer) that crashed in Kaduna state .

This was contained in a statement issued by Air Commodore, Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information yesterday, barely 24-hours after the incident occurred.

According to the statement, the Chief of Air Staff visited Kaduna earlier yesterday to commiserate with the families, friends, and colleagues of the 2 pilots, Flight Lieutenant Abubakar Muhammed Alkali and Flight Lieutenant Elijah Haruna Karatu, who lost their lives in the tragic accident.

The statement noted that “Air Marshal Amao had constituted an Accident Investigation Board upon receiving the sad news of the crash yesterday, to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

“While at Kaduna earlier today, he assured the officers, airmen and airwomen of 401 Flying Training School that all measures will be employed to avert similar occurrence in the future.

“He also reminded them of the need to remain steadfast and focused on their assigned roles and responsibilities in view of the onerous task before the NAF and other security agencies to rid the Northwest and indeed the entire Nation of all criminal elements”.

The statement adds that “unfortunate incident of yesterday’s (Tuesday) trainer aircraft crash is yet again a tragic reminder of the perilous nature of the military flying profession as well as the risks NAF pilots continually take, daily, to secure Nigeria’s territorial integrity. Kindly bring this information to the awareness of the general public.”