2 Nigerian pilots die as fighter jet suffers “mechanical” problem

by Rachel Ogbu

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Two young Nigerian pilots have died in a crash on Monday, after its fighter jet suffered a “mechanical” problem from where it was conducting military operations in neighbouring Mali.

Reports say the fighter jet belonged to the Nigeria’s air fleet engaged with an African force battling hardline Islamists in Mali. It was one of the four based in Niamey as part of the African-led Support Mission in Mali.

“A Nigerian fighter plane crashed this morning (Monday) in the Dargol zone (west), killing the two pilots,” a Niamey officer said.

Nigeria’s Defence in Headquarters and the Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said in a statement that the aircraft was on a non-combat mission when it crashed.

According to reports, Nigerian army spokesman Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru did not give further details on what happened, he however said that investigation had begun “to unravel the circumstances that led to the accident”, adding that details would be made known as soon as the families of the pilots had been informed.

The PM News

French and Chadian planes and US drones have used the Niamey airport as a base for their operations in Mali.

The 6,000-strong African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) has taken over the lead from France in supporting Mali’s army in the battle against Al-Qaeda-linked extremists.

A French-led operation launched in January drove the Islamists from key cities they had seized in northern Mali. But the Islamists have turned to suicide bombings and guerrilla attacks in reclaimed territory.

AFISMA will eventually be incorporated into a 12,600-strong peacekeeping force, following a UN resolution in April.

 

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