President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday hailed the “gallantry” of Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, the pilot of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet who successfully ejected as the fighter jet downed by bandits in Zamfara State crashed.
The Alpha Jet light attack fighter was returning from a successful air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna States when it came under intense enemy fire about 12. 45 p.m. on Sunday.
Flight Lieutenant Dairo reportedly used the cover of darkness and his phone set for navigation, eluding several bandits’ strongholds as he maneuvered his way to a Nigerian Army Unit where he was finally rescued.
Presidential Spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement on Tuesday, said Buhari, who was briefed on the successful operation by the Armed Forces of Nigeria leadership on the rescue of the pilot, was pained by the news of the air crash.
Shehu quoted the President as saying: “I was shocked by the devastating news of the air crash but felt much relieved, following the successful ejection by the pilot and his eventual rescue. May the injured pilot recover at the earliest time.”