A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet crashed on Saturday near Karabonde in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, triggering panic among residents but leaving both pilots unharmed after they reportedly ejected before impact.
The incident was first reported by Lapai TV, a Niger State based digital network, which disclosed the development on its official Facebook page.
“Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State,” the short post, accompanied by a 57-second-long video, read.
Further confirmation came from an eyewitness who shared a 48-second voice note and another video via WhatsApp, revealing that the pilots abandoned the aircraft moments before it went down.
He said, “I think the aircraft took off from the Kainji air force base. We learnt that the air force is mobilising to the crash site.”
A resident of the community, Lukman Sulaiman, also confirmed the crash in a telephone conversation with our correspondent.
“The incident happened around 4.10pm. It landed very close town but God so good, the pilots ejected safely,” he said.
Asked if the pilots were uninjured, he stated, “Yes, we heard a noisy landing crash. We were scared.
But we eventually started trooping back to the scene.”
Footage obtained by PUNCH Online shows the wreckage of the jet engulfed in flames as villagers watched from a distance.
As of press time, the military had yet to issue an official statement regarding the crash.
More details to follow…