A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft went down on Saturday near Karabonde in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, but both pilots on board survived after successfully ejecting from the jet.
The incident was initially reported by Lapai TV, a Niger State–based digital news platform, which shared a short video clip and details of the crash on its official Facebook page. The report quickly drew public attention, prompting residents near the scene to confirm the development.
Local eyewitnesses who spoke with Punch provided additional accounts, including a 48-second voice note and a video recording showing the wreckage. One witness explained that the pilots bailed out moments before the jet plunged to the ground. He added that the aircraft was believed to have departed from the Kainji Air Force Base, and that military personnel were already coordinating efforts to secure the area.
“We learnt that the Air Force is mobilising to the crash site,” the witness noted, describing the scene shortly after the impact.
Another resident, Lukman Sulaiman, also confirmed the crash, saying it occurred around 4:10 p.m. near the community. “It landed very close to town, but thankfully, the pilots ejected safely,” he said. According to him, the loud crash initially caused panic, but villagers later returned to inspect the site after confirming there was no immediate danger.
Additional videos reviewed by Naija News showed the jet burning fiercely after impact, with debris scattered around the crash zone.
As of the time this report was compiled, the Nigerian Air Force had not yet released an official statement regarding the cause of the crash or the condition of the pilots, though local sources indicate they survived with no life-threatening injuries.
An investigation is expected to follow to determine what led to the aircraft’s failure and assess any potential risks to nearby communities.
0 Comments