TheCable

A fighter jet operated by the Nigerian Air Force has lost contact with radar in Borno state. 

The jet was on mission to provide support for troops on the ground fighting Boko Haram insurgents. 

Edward Gabkwet, the air force spokesperson, who disclosed this said the whereabouts of the jet is unknown, but a search effort is in progress.  

“A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha-Jet has lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops,” he said in a statement on Thursday. 

“The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. The loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 pm on 31 March 2021. 

“Details of the whereabouts of the aircraft or likely cause of contact loss are still sketchy but will be relayed to the general public as soon as they become clear. 

“Meanwhile, search and rescue efforts are ongoing.” 

The incident comes a month after an aircraft of the air force crashed at the Abuja airport — with all seven personnel on board dead.

The Nigerian NAF201, a B350 aircraft had departed Abuja at 1033UTC with seven persons on board, including two crew.

The aircraft reported engine failure and crashed landed on its final approach to Abuja airport runway. 

The air force personnel who died were said to be en route to Niger state to rescue students abducted from Government Science College, Kagara.

Editor’s note: The photo in this report is only for illustration.