Nigerian Airforce fighter Jet ‘disappears’ during battle with Boko Haram

A fighter Jet belonging to the Nigerian Airforce went missing during an air operation against Boko Haram’s Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) faction in Borno State.

It was gathered that the Alpha-Jet went missing on Wednesday around 5pm, amidst fears that it might have been captured or shot down by the insurgents.

According to the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed the disappearance of the jet, the NAF Alpha-Jet lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops.

He said the mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. The loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 pm on 31 March 2021.

“Details of the whereabouts of the aircraft or likely cause of contact loss are still sketchy but will be relayed to the general public as soon as they become clear. Meanwhile, search and rescue efforts are ongoing,” the NAF spokesman said.