Crashed aircraft victims on mission to rescue kidnapped Kagara students — Reps

• Air Force releases names victims

Seven personnel of the Nigerian Air Force that died in a plane crash that occurred in Abuja on Sunday were on a mission to rescue kidnapped students of Kagara College in Niger State.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Air Force, Shehu Koko, disclosed this while commiserating with the Nigerian Air Force, families of the ill-fated NAF Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft that crash-landed six minutes after taking off from Abuja airport en route Minna, Niger State.

This came as the Nigerian Air Force released the names of seven personnel who died in the aircraft.

In a statement on Sunday, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Shehu Koko, said, “We also commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We highly regret the loss of our gallant officers who apparently were on a mission to rescue the kidnapped students of a secondary school in Kagara community in Niger State.”

The lawmaker representing Maiyama/Koko Besse Federal Constituency in Kebbi State noted that the committee under the leadership of Femi Gbajabiamila was deeply saddened by the development and would work with the Chief of Air Staff to unravel the remote cause.

He also said, “While mourning with families of the deceased, we urge Nigerians to remain calm and await the outcome of the investigation.”

Koko also prayed to God to comfort the bereaved family and grant the departed souls eternal rest.

Meanwhile, NAF spokesman, Ibikunle Daramola, has released the names of the dead personnel in a statement.

The NAF listed the deceased officers as:

Haruna Gadzama, flight lieutenant who was the captain

Henry Piyo, co-pilot and flight lieutenant

Micheal Okpara, a flying officer and airborne tactical observation system (ATOS) specialist

Bassey Etim, a warrant officer (ATOS Specialist)

Olasunkanmi Olawunmi, a flight sergeant (ATOS Specialist)

Ugochukwu Oluka, a sergeant (ATOS Specialist)

Adewale Johnson, an aircraftman (onboard technician).