Air Force fighter jet goes missing in Borno

NAF Nigerian Air Force helicopter

A Nigerian Air Force alpha jet has lost radar contact in Borno State, NAF spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said Thursday.

The jet is involved in the anti-terror war against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.

In a statement, Gabkwet said the jet lost radar contact on Wednesday evening.

Gabkwet said though the whereabouts of the attack jet was unknown as of the time of filing this report, search and rescue efforts were ongoing.

The statement read, “A Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet has lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops. The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. The loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 pm on 31 March 2021.

“Details of the whereabout of the aircraft or likely cause of contact loss are still sketchy but will be relayed to the general public as soon as they become clear. Meanwhile, search and rescue efforts are ongoing.”

The NAF spokesman did not disclose the number of officers onboard the jet before its disappearance.