The spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas has officially announced that the fighter jet deployed in the ongoing military operations in Mali has crashed.
The jet crashed at 1:05pm yesterday at Dargol village which is about 60km west of Niamey, Niger Republic. Two Nigerian Air Force pilots died as the Alpha combat jet crashed.
The Nigerian military is part of a regional force supporting France, Niger and Chad in Northern Mali in an operation launched in January against al-Qaida linked Jihadist in Northern Mali.
The statement said: “A Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet aircraft on a non-combatant mission crashed today at Dargol Village at about 1305hours (1.05pm), 60Km West of Niamey.
“The two pilots on board the fighter jet also died. The Alpha Jet aircraft is one of the four based in Niamey, Niger Republic as part of Africa-led Support Mission in Mali.
“Investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances that led to the accident. Further details on the crash will be made known as soon as the families of the deceased pilots are informed,” said Anas.
Chaibou Massalatchi, the head of Niamey’s airport, said the plane took off to do a reconnaissance mission.
Also speaking on the crash, a security official from Niger said: “the plane was not shot at. It was not in enemy territory, so for now, we are looking at maybe a mechanical problem.”
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