Nigerian Air Force has released the names of seven of its officers who died when its aircraft, Beechcraft KingAir B350i, crashed in Abuja on Sunday.
The jet en route Minna, Niger State crashed close to the runway of the Abuja airport after reporting engine failure.
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In a statement, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal IO Amao, has ordered an immediate probe of the accident.
Daramola stated that Air Force expressed condolences to the families of the victims who have been notified of the tragic occurrence.
The NAF spokesman added that the officers were “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”.
He gave the names of the officers as:
Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain).
Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot).
Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist).
Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist).Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist).
Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist).
Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
Daramola added that CAS visited the scene of the accident on Sunday in company of the 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.
He noted;
While urging the general public to remain calm and await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased personnel and prays that the Almighty God grants their souls eternal repose.
