Mission to Minna: How We Lost 7 Officers in Abuja Air Accident – NAF

Matilda Omonaiye/

Nigeria Air Force authorities have told how seven officers died in air accident while on a mission to locate students and staff abducted by bandits from the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State.

In a statement giving updates on the incident, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air-Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola says: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), earlier today, 21 February 2021, confirmed that one of its aircraft, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF 201), crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja after reporting engine failure en-route Minna, where it 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.

“As earlier stated, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, has 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 Kins/family members of the deceased, regretfully announces that the following 7 personnel lost their lives in the crash:

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).

“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, once more commiserates with the families of the deceased personnel and prays that the Almighty God grants their souls eternal repose.

“You are please requested to use your medium to disseminate this information for the awareness of the general public. Thank you for your usual support and cooperation.”

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