Friday 28th September, 2018
Daramola told Xinhua
the crash occurred as the two jets were rehearsing for Nigeria’s 58th
independence anniversary celebrations.
The pilot flying an
F7-Ni jet was killed on the spot.
Mohammed G
(Xinhua) – Nigerian air force spokesperson Ibikunle Daramola confirmed two
military aircrafts on Friday collided while rehearsing for an air display over
Abuja, and one pilot was killed.
Daramola told Xinhua
the crash occurred as the two jets were rehearsing for Nigeria’s 58th
independence anniversary celebrations.
The pilot flying an
F7-Ni jet was killed on the spot.
Mohammed Gidi Nass,
who led a rescue team before the arrival of emergency officials and military
personnel, told Xinhua they carried one dead body and rescued three others.
Among the three
rescued, one was injured and two were unhurt.
A witness living
nearby said earlier a big bang was heard before he saw heavy smoke arising from
a mountain behind his office in the Katampe area of Abuja, and two pilots were
spotted landing with parachutes.
Nigerian defense
ministry spokesman John Agim confirmed the accident to Xinhua via telephone.
“Our men are
still at the crash site, working. We shall address the media after the ongoing
emergency operation,” he said.
Nigeria will hold a
grand ceremony on Monday celebrating the 58th anniversary of the country’s
independence.
GNA