Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday morning announced that it has lost contact with the Alpha-Jet involved in the air operations against the Boko Haram/Islamc State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.
It has therefore commenced search and rescue operations for the fighter jet which crashed on Wednesday evening in Borno State.
The NAF said that it is yet not clear if the aircraft developed technical issued and crashed or was shot down by the terrorists, but pledged open communication on the status of the aircraft and its crew.
According to the statement by NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, “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 whereabout 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.”