Two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots escaped unharmed on Saturday after their Alpha Jet suffered an in-flight emergency shortly after take-off from the NAF Base in Kainji, Niger State.
The aircraft was on a post-inspection functional check flight when the incident occurred.
According to the Air Force, the pilots steered the jet away from residential areas before ejecting, a move credited with preventing civilian casualties.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the pilots acted with “swift and remarkable composure” upon detecting the emergency.
Ejodame added that both officers are now undergoing routine medical examinations at a NAF medical facility.
He revealed that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, commended the crew for their professionalism, judgement and discipline.
Aneke has ordered the immediate establishment of a Board of Inquiry to determine the cause of the incident, the spokesman stated.
Ejodame added that the Air Force remains committed to maintaining strict safety procedures and upholding its constitutional duty to protect citizens, personnel and national assets.
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