BEVERLY HILLS, January 04, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the five personnel of the Nigerian Air Force who lost their lives in a military helicopter crash in Borno State.
He extended his condolences to the families of the crew members in a statement on Thursday, a day after their aircraft crashed in combat with Boko Haram terrorists in Damasak.
“The President mourns 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), who died in the mishap,” said the statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
“To the families and relations of the dead, President Buhari condoles with them, noting that the dead officers and men were heroes, who paid the supreme price for peace to reign in the country.”
THEWILL recalls that the Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, announced the death of the soldiers in a statement on Thursday.
He said, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of the five 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 NAF personnel include Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob – pilot in command, and Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Paul Kilyofas – co-pilot.
Others are Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim – flight technician, Lance Corporal Adamu Nura – gunner, and Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael – gunner.
Air Commodore Daramola disclosed that the remains of the deceased personnel have been recovered and taken to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
“These gallant fallen heroes made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our Fatherland, for which the NAF, and indeed the entire Nation, owe them an unending debt of gratitude,” he said.
“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 Air Force spokesman revealed that following the incident, the Air Chief paid a condolence visit to Maiduguri on Thursday.
According to him, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar was in Borno 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.
The Air Chief also received a condolence visit from the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, while in the state.
On behalf of the Force, Daramola thanked Nigerians for the support shown to the Service over the sad incident.
He further called for more understanding and support with an assurance that the Air Force would continually strive to ensure the security of the nation and its people.
President Buhari also commiserated with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, over the loss.
He said it was sad that the fine officers and men lost their lives in the bid to guarantee the safety and protection of their countrymen.
The President, however, believed that the unfortunate incident would not dampen the morale of troops deployed in the fight against insurgency in the North East.
Instead, he said it would boost the resolve of the soldiers to completely eliminate all evildoers within the shortest possible time.
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