- Confirms death of 2 pilots, 3 others
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says five of its personnel died in Wednesday’s Mi-35M helicopter crash in Borno State.
It stated that there was no survivor as the pilot, co-pilot and three crew members all perished in the crash-in-combat.
A statement by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, on Thursday, gave names of the five victims as Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob – Pilot in Command; Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Paul Kilyofas – co-Pilot; Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim – Flight Technician; Lance Corporal Adamu Nura – Gunner and Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael – Gunner.
He said bodies of all the deceased have been recovered and taken to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The statement said following the development, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Mashal Sadique Abubakar, who was in Maiduguri earlier on Thursday, has commiserated with families of the fallen heroes and prayed that the “Almighty grants their souls peaceful repose.”
According to the statement, the NAF helicopter crashed in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion, Damasak in Borno State.
Below is the full statement by Air Commodore Daramola:
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of the 5 crew members who were on board the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mi-35M Helicopter which crashed in combat yesterday, 2 January 2019, while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion, Damasak in Borno State.
“The deceased personnel, whose remains have been recovered to Maiduguri, are: Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob – Pilot in Command, Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Paul Kilyofas – Co-Pilot, Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim – Flight Technician, Lance Corporal Adamu Nura – Gunner, Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael – Gunner.
“These gallant fallen heroes made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our Fatherland, for which the NAF, and indeed the entire Nation, owes them an unending debt of gratitude.
“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf all officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF commiserates with the families of the five fallen heroes and prays that the Almighty grants their souls peaceful repose.
“The Chief of Air Staff was in Maiduguri today, 3 January 2019, to convey the condolences of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammed Buhari, to personnel of the Air Task Force Operation Lafiya Dole over the unfortunate loss. While in Maiduguri, the CAS also received a condolence visit from the Chief of Army Staff, Lietenant General Tukur Buratai.
“The NAF appreciates the overwhelming support shown by the general public to the Service over the sad incident.
“We continue to solicit your understanding and support as we daily strive to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.”
