The Director of Public Relations and Information, the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, has confirmed the crash of a military jet in the Karabonde community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, Ejodame explained that the aircraft developed an in-flight emergency, forcing the pilots, who are currently undergoing medical evaluation, to manoeuvre the jet away from populated areas before ejecting.
According to him, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has commended the pilots for their courage, discipline, and sound judgment, which prevented loss of life.
He stated that the Air Chief has directed the immediate constitution of a Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident.
“NAF commends the exceptional bravery and professionalism of its Alpha Jet pilots who safely ejected following an in-flight emergency during a post-inspection functional check flight today, 6 December 2025, at Nigerian Air Force Base Kainji.
“Shortly after take-off, the aircraft developed an emergency, prompting the pilots to act swiftly and with remarkable composure. They expertly manoeuvred the aircraft away from populated areas before executing a safe ejection. The crew is currently undergoing routine medical evaluation,” the statement partly read.
The NAF however reassured the public of its commitment to safety of its personnel, as well as protecting the lives and property of citizens in line with its constitutional mandate.
A Niger State-based online digital television network, Lapai TV, first reported the incident in a post on its official Facebook account on Saturday evening, before an eyewitness corroborated it in a 48-second-long voice note via WhatsApp and a 59-second-long video, showing that the two pilots successfully ejected before the aircraft went down.
Two videos obtained by PUNCH show the jet engulfed in flames at the crash site.
