Nigeria Military Jet Used In Bombing Boko Haram Operations Goes Missing

An Alpha Jet (NAF 466) belonging to the Nigerian Air Force and involved in the counter insurgency operation against the extremist Boko Haram sect has gone missing around Adamawa State. The spokesperson of the Defence Headquarters, Major General Chris Olukolade, said the aircraft, with two pilots on board, went missing on Friday.

In a statement early Sunday, Mr. Olukolade said:

"An Alpha Jet (NAF 466) belonging to the Nigerian Air Force is missing around Adamawa State. The aircraft, with two pilots onboard, left Yola at about 10:45am on 12 September 2014 on a routine operational mission and was expected back by 12:00 noon. 

Since then all efforts to establish contact with the aircraft have not yielded any positive result. Meanwhile, search and rescue effort is ongoing to establish contact with the crew. 

In view of the foregoing, you are please requested to disseminate this information through your news medium for the awareness of the general public. Thank you for your usual cooperation."

Military insiders said the missing plane is among a number of aircraft deployed for intense aerial bombardment of Boko Haram fighters. The aerial bombardment, insiders say, has left the Boko Haram insurgents suffering extensive losses in men and equipment.

But as the military bombed their locations from above, the terrorists also began to plot against the aircraft carrying out the operation.
It is however not clear whether the missing plane was shot down or whether it was simply involved in an accident. It is the second time in less than two months that a military aircraft would go missing while flying over the insurgency-hit area of Nigeria.