Buhari applauds pilot of air force jet ‘shot down by bandits’

Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the pilot of the Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet, Flt. Lt. Abayomi Dairo, who survived an air crash.

Dairo successfully ejected himself from an aircraft that reportedly came under “intense ground fire from bandits” in Zamfara, last week

Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said Buhari, who was briefed on the successful operation by the nation’s defence forces to rescue the pilot, said he was pained by news of the air crash.

“I was shocked by the devastating news of the air crash but felt much relieved, following the successful ejection by the pilot and his eventual rescue.

“May the injured pilot recover at the earliest time,” Buhari was quoted as saying.