Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Nigeria, Akin Olateru, on Friday evening confirmed that eight persons, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru died aboard the the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beachcraft 350 aircraft that crashed at the Kaduna International Airport.
Olateru has wrote in a WhatsApp note that “Beachcraft 350. 8 souls on board. Unfortunately all dead.”
Sources said that the ill-fated aircraft crashed at the airport’s runway about 6 pm on Friday, exploded and burnt completely.
The first confirmation of a crash came in a quick statement by NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet who confirmed an air crash involving one of its aircraft.
But the statement did not talk about the casualties or who was on board the ill-fated aircraft.
According to the statement: “An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport.
“The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained.
“More details to follow soon.”