President Muhammadu Buhari mourns the tragic and unfortunate death of two officers in a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane crash in Kaduna.
Reacting to the death of Flight Lieutenant Abubakar Alkali and Flight Lieutenant Elijah Haruna Karatu, the President said:
“I am shocked beyond words by the demise of these two promising young men who risked their lives in the service of the country.
“There is no reward big enough to pay for the services of these young and dedicated professional airmen in the service of their country.”
While extending his sympathies to the Chief of Air Staff and the families of the deceased, President Buhari called for “more safety measures to forestall tragic incidents of this kind.”
“I welcome the decision by the NAF authorities to investigate this accident, but I also call on them to publish and implement the recommendations of the reports of past investigations into air accidents, with a view to preventing future tragedies and putting closure to the families and friends of the deceased,” the President added.
Nigeria Air Force identifies personnel killed in Kaduna aircraft crash
The Nigerian Air Force on Wednesday disclosed the identities of its personnel who were killed on Tuesday when a Super Mushshak trainer aircraft crashed in Kaduna
The NAF named the victims as Flight Lieutenant Abubakar Muhammed Alkali and Flight Lieutenant Elijah Haruna Karatu.
A statement issued by the Director of Public Relation and Information, Air Commodore, Edward Gabkwet, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, had commiserated with families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.
“The unfortunate incident of yesterday’s trainer aircraft crash is yet again a tragic reminder of the perilous nature of the military flying profession as well as the risks NAF pilots continually take, daily, to secure Nigeria’s territorial integrity. Kindly bring this information to the awareness of the general public. Thank you,” the statement said.
Air Marshal Amao, who was on a visit to Kaduna, announced that the Air Force will investigate the cause of the crash.
The Air Force boss had earlier set up an Accident Investigation Board upon receiving the news of the crash, to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.
he assured the officers, airmen and airwomen of 401 Flying Training School that all measures will be emplaced to avert similar occurrences in the future.
Amao similarly reminded them of the need to remain steadfast and focused on their assigned roles and responsibilities in view of the onerous task before the NAF and other security agencies to rid the Northwest and indeed the entire Nation of all criminal elements.