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As more Nigerians mourn crash victims
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said, yesterday, it would not be deterred by the death of its seven men killed in Beechcraft KingAir B350i crash on Sunday near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after reporting engine failure en route Minna.
NAF gave the assurance in an exclusive chat with The Guardian, just as more Nigerians mourned victims of the crash.
NAF Beechcraft aeroplane had crashed on Sunday, killing seven persons on board.
Caregivers work at the scene of an accident involving a Nigerian military aircraft which crashed killing seven occupants on board at the Airport runway near Nigeria’s capital Abuja, on February 21, 2021. – A Nigerian military aircraft Beechraft KingAir B350 has crashed killing seven personnel on board while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure. (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON / AFP)
The aircraft crashed shortly after the perimeter fence of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
An eyewitness said the aircraft struggled for balance and started descending dangerously until it hit a mango tree close to a stream behind Bassa village close to the airport.
BUT NAF spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, told The Guardian, yesterday, that the crash would not dampen the morale of men and officers coordinating the air component of the war against terrorism, banditry and other criminal actions.
He said: “We can’t be deterred because it is actually one of the hazards of the job. It comes with some level of risks, so we are not deterred. While we mourn those who have passed, the job goes on and those who are involved will continue to do their job in relation to whatever task they are given.
MEANWHILE, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; representative of Ekiti South Senatorial District, Chief Biodun Olujimi; Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF); and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, expressed sadness over the crash Nigeria Air Force (NAF) plane and the death of its officers, even as they condoled with families of the deceased.
Ortom described the crash and death of Air force personnel as unfortunate and painful.
He equally sympathised with NAF.
The governor’s condolence message was contained in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase.
Olujimi, who expressed shock and grief over the death of Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawumi and other six Nigerian Air Force personnel on board the crashed aircraft, said in a statement she personally signed and made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, that thorough investigation be carried out into the cause of the crash.
She described the death of Olawumi, an indigene of her constituency, as unfortunate and shocking.
“Olawumi has an aged father who loves and dotes on him. The father is a great leader of repute.
“The late Air Force officer was a great guy and jolly good fellow who was so devoted to his chosen career. May God accepts his soul and grants him eternal rest.”
Similarly, the ACF expressed shock and grief.
The group described the victims as patriotic Nigerians on national duty, who should be seen as icons as they paid the supreme price.
In a statement issued by the spokesman of the group, Emmanuel Yawe, the Forum said: “We condole with the Chief of Air Staff, the officer’s men of the Air force and the families of the seven Air force officers who died in the crashed Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF) airplane.”
Bello, in a statement, signed yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, in Abuja, on behalf of the FCT administration and residents of the Federal Capital Territory, extended his condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari; Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi; Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao and the officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force.
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