The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of seven personnel lost their lives when one of its aircraft, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF 201), crashed on Sunday.
a. Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain).
b. Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot).
c. Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist).
d. Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist).
e. Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist).
f. Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist).
g. Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
The aircraft was returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja after reporting engine failure enroute Minna.
The aircraft 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.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, had 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 Kin/family members of the deceased, regretfully announces that the following 7 personnel lost their lives in the crash,” NAF Director of Public Relations and Information Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement.
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, commiserated with the families of the deceased personnel and prayed that the Almighty God grants their souls eternal repose.
