July 21, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said he was shocked by news of the Nigerian Air Force jet crash but was relieved that the pilot survived the crash.
THEWILL reports that Air Force spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, had in a statement on Monday, said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft was on July 18 downed by bandits.
But Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, “luckily” escaped from the bombed aircraft.
“Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft. Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset,” Gabkwet said.
However, in his response to the development on Tuesday, a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said “Buhari, who was briefed on the successful operation by the country’s military to rescue the pilot, said he was pained by the news of the air crash.”
He also commended the gallant pilot, Flt. Lt. Abayomi Dairo, who survived the crash.
“I was shocked by the devastating news of the air crash but felt much relieved, following the successful ejection by the pilot and his eventual rescue.
“May the injured pilot recover at the earliest time,” he said.
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