Pilot survives as Nigeria Fighter Jet battling bandits Crashes

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has revealed that flight lieutenant, Abayomi Dairo, survived after one of its fighter jets crashed in Zamfara following an attack by bandits.

This was contained in a statement signed on Monday by Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.

Gabkwet said the fighter jet was returning from a successful air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna states when it came under heavy fire. from bandits and crashed in Zamfara

He explained that Flight Lieutenant Dairo survived after he successfully ejected from the aircraft. When he landed, the armed bandits gave him a hot chase but he was able to find refuge and escape to a safe location. 

“On 18 July 2021, at about 12.45 pm, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft, returning from a successful air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna State, came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in Zamfara State.

“Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft.

“Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset,” the statement read in part.