A Nigerian warplane crashed in Niger on Monday, from where it
was conducting military operations in neighbouring Mali, and the two pilots
were killed, an army source in Niamey said.
was conducting military operations in neighbouring Mali, and the two pilots
were killed, an army source in Niamey said.
The fighter jet was part of Nigeria’s air fleet engaged with an
African force battling hardline Islamists in Mali. The Niger military source
said it had suffered a “mechanical” problem.
African force battling hardline Islamists in Mali. The Niger military source
said it had suffered a “mechanical” problem.
“A Nigerian fighter plane crashed this morning (Monday) in the
Dargol zone (west), killing the two pilots,” the officer said.
Dargol zone (west), killing the two pilots,” the officer said.
Nigerian army spokesman Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru,
confirmed the jet belonged to his country’s airforce, but gave no further
details.
confirmed the jet belonged to his country’s airforce, but gave no further
details.
In a statement by Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters issued in
Abuja. Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, Director Defence Information, said the
aircraft was on a non-combat mission when it crashed.
Abuja. Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, Director Defence Information, said the
aircraft was on a non-combat mission when it crashed.
He said the Alpha jet was one of the four based in Niamey as
part of the African-led Support Mission in Mali.
part of the African-led Support Mission in Mali.
He added that an Investigation had begun “to unravel the
circumstances that led to the accident”, adding that details would be made
known as soon as the families of the pilots had been informed.
circumstances that led to the accident”, adding that details would be made
known as soon as the families of the pilots had been informed.
French and Chadian planes and US drones have used the Niamey
airport as a base for their operations in Mali.
airport as a base for their operations in Mali.
The 6,000-strong African-led International Support Mission to
Mali (AFISMA) has taken over the lead from France in supporting Mali’s army in
the battle against Al-Qaeda-linked extremists.
Mali (AFISMA) has taken over the lead from France in supporting Mali’s army in
the battle against Al-Qaeda-linked extremists.
A French-led operation launched in January drove the Islamists
from key cities they had seized in northern Mali. But the Islamists have turned
to suicide bombings and guerrilla attacks in reclaimed territory.
from key cities they had seized in northern Mali. But the Islamists have turned
to suicide bombings and guerrilla attacks in reclaimed territory.
AFISMA will eventually be incorporated into a 12,600-strong
peacekeeping force, following a UN resolution in April.
peacekeeping force, following a UN resolution in April.
Source: PMNews
