BREAKING: Military jet crashes in Niger community

A Nigerian Air Force jet has reportedly crashed near Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

A Niger State-based online digital television network, Lapai TV, stated in a post on its official Facebook account on Saturday evening:

“Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State,” the short post, accompanied by a 57-second-long video, read.

Corroborating the incident, an eyewitness had earlier told PUNCH Online in a 48-second-long voice note via WhatsApp and a 59-second-long video that the two pilots successfully ejected before the aircraft went down.

He said, “I think the aircraft took off from the Kainji air force base. We learnt that the air force is mobilising to the crash site.”

Our correspondent, in a phone call to one of the villagers who identified himself as Lukman Sulaiman, confirmed the incident.

“The incident happened around 4.10pm. It landed very close town but God so good, the pilots ejected safely,” he said.

Asked if the pilots were uninjured, he stated, “Yes, we heard a noisy landing crash. We were scared. But we eventually started trooping back to the scene.”

Two videos obtained by PUNCH Online show the jet engulfed in flames at the crash site.