Pilot Rescued As Military Jet Crashes In Zamfara

The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the crash of an Alpha Jet
aircraft in Zamfara while returning from air interdiction between
the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna States.

According to a statement by the Director Public Relations and
Information Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the
aircraft came under enemy fire but the Pilot, Flight Lieutenant
Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected.

It said: “on 18 July 2021, at about 12.45 pm, a Nigerian Air
Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, returning from a successful air
interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna
State, came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in
Zamfara State. Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight
Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the
aircraft.

“Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense
ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought
refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset. Using the cover of
darkness and his phone set for navigation, Flight Lieutenant Dairo
was able to elude several bandits’ strongholds and maneuvered his
way to a Nigerian Army Unit, where he was finally rescued”.

The statement added: “It is instructive to note that upon
receipt of the news of the crash, the Chief of Air Staff, Air
Marshal Oladayo Amao, had directed that all efforts must be
emplaced to rescue the pilot. Accordingly, NAF Intelligence
Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms and helicopter gunships
provided close air support to NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army
troops who were able to locate the crash site and the pilot’s
parachute, while also combing nearby locations for any sign of the
pilot.

data-instgrm-permalink= "https://www.instagram.com/p/CRggG1Hsb8B/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13">

“It is gladdening to note that while in hiding, Flight
Lieutenant Dairo confirmed that the presence of NAF aircraft within
the vicinity of the crash site helped in scaring the bandits who
were after him, thus enabling him to find refuge and escape to a
safe location.

“It is important to also recall that only recently, the
President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, had directed
the Armed Forces of Nigeria to do all it takes to flush out
criminal elements in Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna States.

“It is in fulfilment of this directive that the NAF, in
conjunction with surface forces, has in the last 2 weeks mounted
intensive day and night air interdiction operations against bandits
and their hideouts, especially in these 3 states. Through these
intensive air operations, hundreds of bandits have been neutralized
and several of their hideouts destroyed.

“Despite the setback of yesterday’s crash, the NAF remains
committed towards fulfilling Mr President’s mandate as well as
other constitutional roles assigned to it. The willingness,
readiness and tested ability of the NAF remains unshaken and
unwavering as it continues to carry out its assigned roles”.

The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the crash of an Alpha Jet
aircraft in Zamfara while returning from air interdiction between
the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna States.

According to a statement by the Director Public Relations and
Information Nigerian Air Force Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the
aircraft came under enemy fire but the Pilot, Flight Lieutenant
Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected.

It said: “on 18 July 2021, at about 12.45 pm, a Nigerian Air
Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, returning from a successful air
interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna
State, came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in
Zamfara State. Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight
Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the
aircraft.

“Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense
ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought
refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset. Using the cover of
darkness and his phone set for navigation, Flight Lieutenant Dairo
was able to elude several bandits’ strongholds and maneuvered his
way to a Nigerian Army Unit, where he was finally rescued”.

The statement added: “It is instructive to note that upon
receipt of the news of the crash, the Chief of Air Staff, Air
Marshal Oladayo Amao, had directed that all efforts must be
emplaced to rescue the pilot. Accordingly, NAF Intelligence
Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms and helicopter gunships
provided close air support to NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army
troops who were able to locate the crash site and the pilot’s
parachute, while also combing nearby locations for any sign of the
pilot.

data-instgrm-permalink= "https://www.instagram.com/p/CRggG1Hsb8B/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13">

“It is gladdening to note that while in hiding, Flight
Lieutenant Dairo confirmed that the presence of NAF aircraft within
the vicinity of the crash site helped in scaring the bandits who
were after him, thus enabling him to find refuge and escape to a
safe location.

“It is important to also recall that only recently, the
President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, had directed
the Armed Forces of Nigeria to do all it takes to flush out
criminal elements in Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna States.

“It is in fulfilment of this directive that the NAF, in
conjunction with surface forces, has in the last 2 weeks mounted
intensive day and night air interdiction operations against bandits
and their hideouts, especially in these 3 states. Through these
intensive air operations, hundreds of bandits have been neutralized
and several of their hideouts destroyed.

“Despite the setback of yesterday’s crash, the NAF remains
committed towards fulfilling Mr President’s mandate as well as
other constitutional roles assigned to it. The willingness,
readiness and tested ability of the NAF remains unshaken and
unwavering as it continues to carry out its assigned roles”.