Army: Wreckage of NAF jet that went off radar in March 2021 found in Borno

The Nigerian Army says troops of operation Desert Sanity have found the wreckage of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jet that went off radar over 11 months ago.

TheCable had reported that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) disappeared off the radar while on its way to provide support to ground troops in Borno.

Edward Gabkwet, NAF spokesman, had said two crew members were on board the aircraft at the time.

“The cause of the crash as well as the whereabouts of the 2 pilots remain unknown. The pilots are Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele,” Gabkwet had said.

Announcing the recovery on its social media handles on Saturday, the army said the wreckage was discovered while troops were on patrol in Sambisa forest in Borno.

“Troops of Operation Desert Sanity on clearance patrol in Sambisa Forest, Borno State, have uncovered the wreckage of crashed Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar with 2 crew members on 31 March 2021,” the post reads.

“Further exploitation ongoing.”

See photos of the wreckage below.