The Nigerian Air Force has released names of seven officers who died in Sunday’s crash of its Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft in Abuja.
The affected aircraft was on its way to Minna in Niger State when it crashed on the runway of the Abuja airport following engine failure.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal I.O. Amao, has ordered a probe of the accident.
The NAF spokesman also said the officers were “scheduled to conduct surveillance missions over Niger State and its environs in connection with the concerted efforts to secure the release of the students/staff abducted from the Government Science College Kagara, Niger State”.
He gave the names of the officers as:
Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain).
Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot).
Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist).
Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist).
Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist).
Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist).
Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
“The CAS, on behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, once more commiserates with the families of the deceased personnel and prays that the Almighty God grants their souls eternal repose,” he added.