The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of seven officers who died when the Beechcraft KingAir B350i crashed in Abuja on Sunday.
The jet en route Minna in Niger State crashed close to the runway of the Abuja airport after reporting engine failure.
In a statement, NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the chief of air staff Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao has ordered an immediate probe of the accident.
Daramola said the Force expressed condolences to the families of the victims who have been notified of the tragic occurrence.
The NAF spokesman also said the officers were “scheduled to conduct surveillance missions over Niger State and its environs in connection with the concerted efforts to secure the release of the students/staff abducted from the Government Science College Kagara, Niger State.”
He gave the names of the officers as: Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (captain), Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (co-pilot), Flying Officer Michael Okpara (airborne tactical observation system (ATOS) specialist).
Others are Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS specialist), Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS specialist), Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS specialist) and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (onboard technician).
Daramola added that Amao visited the scene of the accident on Sunday in company of the minister of defence Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd); minister of aviation Hadi Sirika; and service chiefs.
