Sunday Aneke (in blue traditional outfit) with some of the pilots
Sunday Aneke, chief of air staff, has visited the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet pilots who safely ejected from their aircraft following an in-flight emergency at NAF Base Kainji.
The jet crashed on Saturday in a community in Borgu LGA of Niger state.
In a post on Facebook, the NAF said the visit was aimed at commending the aircrew for their courage, professionalism and sound judgment during the post-inspection functional check flight on December 6, 2025.
The air force said the aircraft developed a fault shortly after take-off, adding that the pilots manoeuvred the jet away from populated areas before ejecting safely.
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The service said the pilots are undergoing routine medical evaluation and are in stable condition.
Aneke praised the pilots, saying their actions prevented loss of lives and damage to property.
He directed the immediate constitution of a board of inquiry to investigate the incident.
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The air force said its search and rescue teams, fire and crash response units, and medical personnel responded promptly to secure the area and ensure the safety of the aircrew.
The service said the incident underlined the risks associated with military aviation and the demands of sustained operational readiness.
The air force reassured the public of its adherence to strict safety standards, adding that it remains committed to protecting lives and property in line with its constitutional mandate.
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