Nigeria- Friday 2, April 2021: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar couple of days ago may have crashed and the pilots’ whereabouts is still unknown.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet revealed this on Friday in a statement titled ‘Update On Missing NAF Alpha Jet Aircraft.’

The NAF identified the pilots in the missing jet as Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.

The statement reads: “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.

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

“Extensive search and rescue efforts are still ongoing by NAF surveillance aircraft as well as NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops on the ground.

“At this point, the NAF is not ruling out anything regarding the incident. It however remains hopeful that the crew would soon be found and rescued.”