Abuja, Nigeria – Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), paid a visit on July 17, 2023, to the two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots who successfully ejected from a crashed FT-7NI trainer aircraft in Makurdi on July 14, 2023. The CAS directed that the pilots be flown to Abuja for additional medical care and attention. During the visit, it was reported that the pilots were in stable condition and recovering well.
Accompanied by Air Vice Marshal Anthony Ekpe, the NAF Chief of Medical Services, the CAS expressed his delight in seeing the pilots in good spirits and looking forward to getting back on their feet and resuming their duties as soon as possible. He commended them for their courage and commitment to ongoing training efforts, particularly in light of the NAF’s counterinsurgency and counterterrorism commitments.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar assured the pilots that the NAF is fully committed to providing them with the best medical care to ensure their swift recovery. The visit underscored the NAF’s dedication to the well-being and welfare of its personnel, particularly those injured in the line of duty.
The CAS’s visit serves as a morale boost to the pilots and the wider NAF community, reaffirming the leadership’s support and appreciation for their dedication and professionalism. The NAF remains committed to enhancing the safety and effectiveness of its operations through continuous training, operational readiness, and the well-being of its personnel.
As the pilots continue their recovery, the NAF will continue to provide the necessary support and medical care to ensure their full recuperation. Their resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to the entire NAF and are a testament to the professionalism and bravery of the Nigerian Air Force.
