Nigerians have taken to social media to express their condolences after a Nigeria Air Force pilot died on Friday, September 28 while rehearsing for Independence Day performance near Katampe in Abuja.
Squadron Leader Mohammed Bello Baba-Ari was inside one of two F-7Ni aircraft preparing for the Nigeria Air Force’s aerial display on October 1 when the two collided on Katampe Hills, along the Kubwa Expressway.
Explaining how it happened, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said:
It is with a heavy heart that I commiserate with officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over the unfortunate incident involving 2 F-7Ni aircraft earlier today. The aircraft were flown by 3 of the most skilled and experienced pilots on the aircraft-type.
— Air Marshal Abubakar (@CAS_AMSadique) September 28, 2018
2.They had indeed been programmed for training on a higher performance aircraft that the NAF is about to acquire. All 3 were able to eject from the aircraft before the crash. Regrettably, however, one of them later died due complications from injuries sustained from the ejection.
— Air Marshal Abubakar (@CAS_AMSadique) September 28, 2018
3. The officer, Squadron Leader Bello Baba-Ari, has been buried in accordance with Islamic rites. We pray the Almighty grants his soul eternal rest.
— Air Marshal Abubakar (@CAS_AMSadique) September 28, 2018
4. @NigAirForce, which has flown over 30,000 hours in the Northeast in the last one year, will painstakingly investigate the cause of the accident in order to avoid a reoccurrence.
— Air Marshal Abubakar (@CAS_AMSadique) September 28, 2018
The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) for the Nigeria Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said:
It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce that one of the pilots who successfully ejected from one of the F-7Ni aircraft that crashed earlier today has passed on. May his soul RIP. Additional details on the incident will be communicated later. Thank you
— Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola (@KunleDaramola3) September 28, 2018
The body of Squadron Leader Bello Mohamed Baba-Ari, the @NigAirForce pilot who died earlier today after ejecting from an F-7Ni aircraft, has been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
— Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola (@KunleDaramola3) September 28, 2018
2. Bello Baba-Ari was a gentleman officer, distinguished pilot, dedicated patriot and irrefutable hero of the war on terror. He will be sorely missed by @CAS_AMSadique and all members of @NigAirForce family. May the Almighty comfort his family and grant his soul eternal rest.
— Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola (@KunleDaramola3) September 28, 2018
Reacting, former DOPRI, Air Vice Marshal AO Adesanya said:
A huge loss indeed. I knew the late pilot personally; he was a fine, young and humble gentleman who contributed immensely to the counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast and the fight against other forms of criminality in Nigeria. May his supreme sacrifice not be in vain.
— AVM OA Adesanya (@AVM_OA_Adesanya) September 28, 2018
President Muhammadu Buhari also commiserated with the Nigeria Air Force over the incident.
This was conveyed in a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force on the air accident which involved two fighter jets in the fleet in Abuja earlier on Friday.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) September 28, 2018
The President paid tributes to the gallantry of Squadron Leader MB Baba-Ari, the officer who died in the accident while also wishing the two other wounded officers quick recovery.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) September 28, 2018
In a condolence message delivered on his behalf by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Siddique at the burial of the officer Friday in Abuja,…
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) September 28, 2018
…President Buhari extolled the virtues of the dead pilot saying that he laid down his life in the service of his fatherland at a time that patriotic citizens were needed to join hands to move the nation forward.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) September 28, 2018
He assured that, having paid the supreme sacrifice, the nation would not forget him. He prayed that God will grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and assured family members that the country will not abandon them.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) September 28, 2018
Representatives of the President also visited the two other officers, Squadron Leader Abatuba and Flight Lieutenant Ambi in the hospital and conveyed the President's good wishes to them.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) September 28, 2018
The President wished them quick recovery, assuring them the hearts of Nigerians are with them and are praying for them as they make a quick return to good health.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) September 28, 2018
He assured that the country will do whatever it takes to ensure that they are back on their feet in excellent state.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) September 28, 2018
Also, other Nigerians reacted to the unfortunate incident.
Tonight, I pour liquor for the soul of the airforce pilot that passed away in the crash in Abuja. May his soul rest in peace.
You conquered the sky mate. Farewell. Rest easy.
— Arinze Odira (@CaptainArinze) September 28, 2018
May the soul of the pilot rest in peace, also sad that Nigeria is now down to 11 J7-Fs…
— Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) September 28, 2018
Rest in peace Squadron Leader Mohammed Bello Baba-Ari— the Nigeria Airforce @NigAirForce pilot who died today after ejecting from an F-7Ni aircraft.
Posterity will remember you in the good side of history. pic.twitter.com/rNRLtEU3Oi
— Muhd El-Bonga Ibrahim (@el_bonga) September 28, 2018
Just in: Nigerian Air Force has lost a senior pilot, one of the best pilot of NAF Tiger squad flying the F-7N, Nigeria's lead combat Aircraft
Fallen pilot ejected alongside others involve in the crash & was hospitalized.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice to 🇳🇬
— Murtala (@Murtalaibin) September 28, 2018
Two Nigeria airforce planes crashed in Abuja area while rehearsing for the October 1st independence. I hope @MBuhari, @NGRPresident, @bukolasaraki, @AsoRock @APCNigeria knows the God of innocent slaughtered is not asleep? Nigerians are treated like slaves in their own land. pic.twitter.com/1XSKhjhrKe
— Charles Eyimofe (Baruch) Pemu (@chaizymoflynpm) September 29, 2018
Our politician have not heard that a Pilot officer of the Nigerian Airforce died on active service today in the FCT.
"We the people of Nigeria " or is he not among the "we"?
— Nwa Chinemere (@fredwave) September 28, 2018
A Nigeria Airforce Aircraft crash near Jahi, Katampe, Abuja. May Allah keep us safe.#planecrash
— Salami Ademola A. (@Sirlanko1) September 28, 2018
I want to use this medium to extend my condolence to Nigeria Airforce on this disaster that affected our gallant officers, may Almighty Allah prevent reoccurrence and forgive and mercy unpon the demised officers. Aameen.
Source : Rariya. @NigeriaAirforce @DrIsaPantami pic.twitter.com/dszVDPY3vH
— Abdullahi Adili Shehu Sifawa (@AbdullahiASheh6) September 28, 2018
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