2 Nigerian Air Force Jets crash in Abuja, Squadron Leader killed

On Friday, two Nigerian Air Force jets crashed in the Katampe area of Abuja while taking part in rehearsals for the 58th Independence Day celebrations.

Premium Times reports that Ibikunle Daramola, the Air Force spokesperson confirmed the incident, saying:

“I wish to confirm an air incident involving 2 Nigerian Air Force aircraft taking part in the rehearsals for the 58th Independence Day Celebrations. Thankfully no lives were lost. Details will be communicated later.”

The paper also reports that three Mi-35 military helicopters were seen hovering over the area with first responders heading to the area.

Sadly, Baba-Ari and the two other officers had successfully ejected from the aircraft but he later passed due to complications upon impact on the ground.

They had been programmed for training on a higher performance aircraft that the NAF is about to acquire, according to Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

In a statement on Friday, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the Director of Public Relations and Information
of the Nigerian Air Force said:

Two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) F-7Ni aircraft taking part in the rehearsals for the aerial display to mark Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary Celebrations were involved in an air incident today, 28 September 2018. The air mishap necessitated the 3 pilots to eject from their aircraft, which subsequently crashed in the general area of Katamkpe Hill. Regrettably, however, one of them later died due to complications from injuries sustained upon impact on the ground. Thankfully, there were no civilian casualties.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, commiserates with the family of the deceased officer. The CAS has also instituted an air crash investigation to determine the remote and immediate causes of the incident.

Baba-Ari was laid to rest on Friday.

@AsoRock, @osgfofficial, @CDS_Nig, @CAS_AMSadique and many other dignitaries and senior military officers paying last respects to a true hero as the body of Squadron Leader Mohammed Bello Baba-Ari was laid to rest today. pic.twitter.com/uW2mHwUpWB

— Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola (@KunleDaramola3) September 28, 2018