Breaking: CAS arrives Maiduguri to coordinate search for missing NAF aircraft

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has arrived in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital hour after a Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet was declared missing.

Air Marshal Amao’s arrival was revealed in a tweet by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet on Thursday.

On arrival, Air Marshal Amao was reportedly briefed on ongoing search and rescue efforts in connection with the missing Alpha Jet aircraft.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha-Jet involved in the ongoing counter- insurgency operations in the North-east was reported to have lost contact with radar on Wednesday evening in Borno state.

Air Commodore Gabkwet had in a statement, said the plane was got missing while on a mission to support ground troops.

He, however, did not mention the numbers of personal on board the aircraft.

The statement reads: “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 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 whereabouts 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.”