Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said, on Monday, it would not be deterred by the death of its seven men killed in Beechcraft KingAir B350i crash on Sunday near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after reporting engine failure en route Minna.
NAF gave the assurance in an exclusive chat with The Guardian, just as more Nigerians mourned victims of the crash.
NAF Beechcraft aeroplane had crashed on Sunday, killing seven persons on board.
The aircraft crashed shortly after the perimeter fence of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
An eyewitness said the aircraft struggled for balance and started descending dangerously until it hit a mango tree close to a stream behind Bassa village close to the airport.
But NAF spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, said that the crash would not dampen the morale of men and officers coordinating the air component of the war against terrorism, banditry and other criminal actions.
He said: “We can’t be deterred because it is actually one of the hazards of the job. It comes with some level of risks, so we are not deterred. While we mourn those who have passed, the job goes on and those who are involved will continue to do their job in relation to whatever task they are given.
Meanwhile, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; representative of Ekiti South Senatorial District, Chief Biodun Olujimi; Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF); and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, expressed sadness over the crash Nigeria Air Force (NAF) plane and the death of its officers, even as they condoled with families
