The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has announced the identities of seven officers who were killed in the crash of a Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF 201) while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja after reporting engine failure enroute Minna.
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 members abducted from the Government Science College Kagara, Niger State.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola said the seven officers included 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) and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
He said the NAF had notified the Next of Kins/family members of the deceased.
Daramola said 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.
He added that the CAS visited the scene of the accident, 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. The CAS, on behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, once more commiserated with the families of the deceased officers and prayed that “the Almighty God grants their souls eternal repose.”
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