The PUNCH reported that a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in Makurdi on Friday during routine training.
The two pilots onboard were said to have been ejected from the trainer aircraft.
The Air Force subsequently set up a board to investigate the cause of the incident.
However, in a statement on Tuesday by the service spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the pilots were flown to Abuja on the order of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar.
He added that Abubakar visited the pilots on Monday.
The statement read, “The CAS yesterday, July 17, 2023, visited the 2 NAF pilots who successfully ejected from the crashed FT-7NI trainer aircraft which occurred on Friday, July 14, 2023, in Makurdi.
“The pilots, who were flown to Abuja on the directive of the CAS for extra medical care and attention, were in stable condition and recuperating well after ejecting from the ill-fated aircraft. ”
He added that the CAS was happy to see the pilots in high spirits.
“The CAS, who was accompanied by the NAF Chief of Medical Services Air Vice Marshal Anthony Ekpe, expressed delight on seeing the pilots who were in high spirits and looking forward to getting back on their feet and resuming work as soon as possible.
“Abubakar commended them for their courage and commitment to ongoing training efforts in view of NAF’s counterinsurgency and counterterrorism commitments while assuring them of NAF’s readiness at providing them with the best of medical care to ensure their quick recovery,” he added.
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