Gadzama, Okpara, Olawunmi, Etim among military officers killed in plane crash
The Nigerian Air Force has announced the names of military officers killed on Sunday in a plane crash.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, AVM Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the victims include Flt.-Lt. Haruna Gadzama (captain), Flt.-Lt. Henry Piyo (co-pilot), Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System 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).
The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, and all service chiefs, among others, had earlier visited the scene of the crash.
NAF had confirmed that one of its aircraft, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF 201), crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.
The air force claimed that the aircraft was scheduled to conduct surveillance missions over Niger and its environs to secure the release of the abducted students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, AVM Oladayo Amao, has instituted an investigative panel to determine the crash’s remote and immediate causes.
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
NationWide
Gombe violence: Buhari says Nigerians have shed enough blood, preaches peace
“I’m seriously disturbed by the outbreak of violence.”
Anti-Corruption
N5 billion fraud: Ex-aviation minister Stella Oduah’s trial stalled
The lawmaker faces the fraud charge alongside eight others.
World
White supremacy becoming transnational threat, UN warns
“These and other groups have exploited the pandemic to boost their ranks through social polarisation.”
NationWide
Katsina deserted as dust haze, cold disrupt activities
The state capital’s ever-busy streets have also become deserted.
World
Taiwan releases names of judges who sentenced 1,153 detainees to death
One judge, Yin Ching-wen, issued 203 death sentences.
World
New Zealand marks decade since deadly Christchurch quakes
“Our flags fly at half-mast for them today too.”
