Rescue team combs Borno bushes for missing NAF fighter jet

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, said early Thursday that its Alpha jet involved in the anti-terror war against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province has lost radar contact in Borno State.

Spokesman for the Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said this in a statement, adding that the incident happened on Wednesday evening.

The statement titled, ‘Nigerian Air Force Alpha-Jet Loses Radar Contact’, said though the whereabouts of the attack jet were unknown as of the time of filing this report, search and rescue efforts were ongoing.

The NAF spokesman did not disclose the number of officers aboard the jet.

“A Nigerian Air Force 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,” he said.