PHOTOS: Air force buries personnel killed in plane crash amid tears

February 25, 2021 12:21 pm

Pic.14. Relations of the seven Nigerian Air Force officers who died on Sunday in the Beechchraft King Air B3350i crash, at the grave side during the burial in Abuja on Thursday (25/2/21). 00790/25/2/2021/Anthony Alabi/BJO/NAN

Family members and friends broke down in tears as the seven air force personnel who lost their lives in a plane crash on Sunday were laid to rest.

The burial took place at the National Military Cemetery, Lugbe, airport road, in the federal capital territory, on Thursday morning.

The aircraft crashed while en route to Minna to conduct intelligence missions towards the rescue of the 42 students and workers abducted from the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state.

Oluwasola Sola, elder sister of Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist), was reported to have said her brother was on leave when he was called by his superior to come for an operation.

She said the deceased left behind three children and that he had been the only one taking care of the family, particularly their aged mother.

The victims are Haruna Gadzama (pilot); Henry Piyo (co-pilot); Micheal Okpara (airborne tactical observation system specialist) and Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist).

Others are Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS specialist), Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS specialist) and Adewale Johnson (onboard technician).

Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, Bashir Magashi, defence minister, and the service chiefs, attended the burial ceremony.

Here are some photos from the ceremony: