The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has instituted an investigation into the air crash involving Air Force aircraft in Abuja on Friday.

Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed this in a statement.

Squadron Leader MB Baba-Ari lost his life and two others were injured in the crash which involved two Nigerian Air Force F-7Ni aircraft participating in the rehearsals for the aerial display to mark Nigeria’s 58th Independence anniversary celebrations.

The three pilots involved in the crash had ejected before their aircraft crashed into the general area Katamkpe Hill, but one of them succumbed to the injuries he sustained upon impact on the ground.

The Chief of Air Staff commiserated with the family of the deceased officer, who has been buried.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Air Force over the incident.

The President praised the late pilot for his gallantry and wished his injured colleague quick recovery.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the Chief of Air Staff delivered the President’s condolence message on his behalf at the burial of the officer.

In the message, the President extolled the virtues of the dead pilot saying that he laid down his life in the service of his fatherland at a time that patriotic citizens were needed to join hands to move the nation forward.

The President added that the nation would neither forget him nor abandon his family.

Mr Shehu said representatives of the President had visited the two other officers in the hospital and conveyed the President’s good wishes to them.

“The President wished them a quick recovery, assuring them that the hearts of Nigerians are with them and are praying for them as they make a quick return to good health,” Shehu added.

“He assured them that the country will do whatever it takes to ensure that they are back on their feet in excellent state.”

•Sourced from a Channels TV report

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