The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has condoled with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), over the crash of the NAF Super Mushshak training Aircraft that claimed the lives of two Pilots in Kaduna The Trumpet gathered.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri, the Minister said the death is a devastating loss to the nation.
He further noted that the deaths of both Flight Lieutenant Abubakar Muhammed Alkali and Flight Lieutenant Elijah Haruna Karatu in the line of duty are sad but heroic.
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The Defence Minister with a deep sense of loss said the sad occurrence has unfortunately depleted the human capital assets of the Nigerian Air Force in these challenging times when the service is professionally and tactically deploying its rich Air powers in a joint operating environment with land forces to end all threats to national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
General Magashi assured that the sacrifices of the two pilots shall not be in vain.
The Defence Minister also expressed advised the Air Marshal Amao led Nigerian Air Force not to allow the unfortunate crash to dampen the current high morale of the officers, airmen and airwomen of the service in intensifying the tempo of anti- banditry and counter-terrorism operations in parts of the country.
He appreciated the Chief of Air Staff, for his proactive response in constituting an Accident Investigating Board (AIB).
