Nigeria Airforce and Boko Haram argue over missing Jet

Nigeria Airforce and Boko Haram argue over missing Jet

A Nigerian Air Force Alpha-Jet has gone missing during an air interdiction mission in battle with Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State in the North-East.

 

SaharaReporters learnt that the fighter jet went missing on Wednesday around 5pm, amidst fears that it might have been captured or shot down by the Boko Haram terrorists – who are now being aided by a more deadly faction, the Islamic State West African Province fighters.

 

The Nigerian Air Force in a release confirmed the missing Alpha Jet, noting that the details of the whereabouts of the aircraft were still sketchy.

 

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said, “A NAF Alpha-Jet has lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops.

 

 


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 latest aircraft incident comes weeks after another Air Force aircraft, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i, crashed after reporting engine failure on its way to Minna, Niger State. The plane was heading to that destination to conduct surveillance missions over Niger State and its environs in connection with the efforts to secure the release of the students/staff abducted from the Government Science College Kagara, Niger State.

 

That February 21 crash led to the death of Haruna Gadzama, a flight lieutenant, (Captain), Henry Piyo, a flight liutenant (Co-Pilot), Micheal Okpara, a flying officer (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist), Bassey Etim, a warrant officer (ATOS Specialist), Olasunkanmi Olawunmi, a flight sergeant (ATOS Specialist), Ugochukwu Oluka a sergeant (ATOS Specialist) and Adewale Johnson, an aircraftman (Onboard Technician).

 

Earlier, an intelligence source who told PR Nigeria, that bad weather could be blamed for the missing jet.

 

“Though no trace of the wreckage has been found, bad and hazy weather has been a stumbling block lately in the military operation. The trained combat pilots have always responded to distress calls and emergency situations in the protection of troops and the citizens from activities of terrorists in the North-east.

 

“We are still investigating and trying to find out what actually happened to the missing Alpha jet. Search and rescue operations have been intensified. But unfortunately, we are yet to see any trace of the jet in the forest areas we have combed, across Borno State.”

 

 


On Thursday, Chief of Air Staff, Oladayo Amao, arrived Maiduguri over the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

 

He was quoted to have told the officers and men to remain undeterred and resolute in their commitment to ensuring that peace returns to the North-east.

 

The Nigerian Air Force is involved in the anti-insurgency operation in the North-east as well as in the onslaught against bandits in the North-west and North-central geopolitical zones, providing reconnaissance intelligence and aerial covers for ground troops.

 

The Force also engages in bombardment of terrorists enclaves from time to time.

 

Boko Haram claims it shot down missing Nigerian jet

But later on Friday, the 2nd of April, Boko Haram terror group released a video showing its fighters shooting down an aircraft believed to be the alpha jet declared missing by the Nigerian Air Force.

 

In a seven-minute, thirty seconds video, the jet was seen flying low to the ground while the insurgents shot at it.

 

The jet went missing on Wednesday evening while carrying out a mission against the terrorists in Borno State.

 

 


The spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, said on Friday morning that the jet may have crashed.

 

“Intelligence report gathered by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) indicates that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar with 2 crew members on board on 31 March 2021 might have crashed,” he said.

 

Mr Gabkwet, an air commodore, also named the two pilots missing from the incident.

 

“The cause of the crash as well as the whereabouts of the 2 pilots remain unknown. The pilots are Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.”

 

On the complete video, the terrorists were seen in the video shooting down the aircraft while it came down in flames.

 

The insurgents were also seen moving towards the debris of the aircraft to remove components of the aircraft and personal effects of the pilots. Another terrorist was also seen standing on the aircraft while speaking in Hausa and English.

 

Our Jet was not Shot Down – Nigeria Air Force dismisses Boko Haram video

The Nigerian Air Force has dismissed a video by Boko Haram where the terror group claimed it shot down a missing alpha jet.

Nigeria Airforce and Boko Haram argue over missing Jet

In his statement late Friday, air force spokesperson Edward Gabkwet said the video was mere propaganda.

 

“Although the video is still being thoroughly analysed, it is evident that most parts of the video were deliberately doctored to give the false impression that the aircraft was shot down,” the air commodore said.

 

 


Read his full statement below.

NAF Dismisses Boko Haram’s Video on Alpha Jet as False Propaganda

  1. The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to some videos being circulated on Social Media, as well as media reports drawn therefrom, alleging that the NAF Alpha Jet aircraft, which was reported missing in Borno State on 31 March 2021 after losing radar contact, was shot down by terrorists. One of such videos, in particular, began with sporadic shooting by several terrorists, including underaged children on motorcycles and vehicles. It later skipped abruptly to a scene depicting an aircraft exploding mid-air, supposedly as a result of enemy action. Another part of the video showed a terrorist, who, while standing by the wreckage, claimed that they had shot down the NAF aircraft.

 

2. Although the video is still being thoroughly analysed, it is evident that most parts of the video were deliberately doctored to give the false impression that the aircraft was shot down. For instance, the video clip failed to show the correlation between the sporadic shooting, which even from casual observation was obviously aimed at ground targets, and the sudden mid-air aircraft explosion. In addition, it is almost impossible for an aircraft to have exploded mid-air, in the manner depicted in the video, and still have a good part of its fuselage, including its tail, intact. Indeed, an explosive impact of that nature would have scattered the debris of the aircraft across several miles.

 

3. It is obvious that the Boko Haram Sect, in its characteristic manner of employing false propaganda, is seeking to claim credit for what was obviously an air accident that could have been caused by several other reasons; particularly at a time when the capability of the group to inflict mayhem has been significantly degraded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

 

 


4. Consequently, Nigerians are please advised to ignore the contents of the videos making the rounds until all investigations as to how the aircraft crashed are completed. The NAF, on its part, remains resolute and will continue to work assiduously, in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, to rid the North East of all terrorist elements.

 

EDWARD GABKWET, Air Commodore Director of Public Relations and Information.

 

So where is the Jet and where are the Pilots?

 

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About TEMI BADMUS

Temi Badmus is a Food scientist and an Art enthusiast. She is an health freelancer, and media Manager. She is a humorous and controversial writer, who believes all form of writing is audible if it's done well. Temi Badmus specializes on indigenous food nutrient research and values. She believes in reaching out to people with health decline through articles and giving advice on good eating habit.

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