The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released names of the seven personnel that died in the air crash involving a NAF aircraft, Beechcraft KingAir BB305i.
The deceased officers include: Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain); Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot); Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist) and Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist).
Others were: Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist); Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist) and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
A statement by the Director Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, reads: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), earlier today, 21 February 2021, confirmed that one of its aircraft, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF 201), crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja after reporting engine failure enroute Minna, where it was scheduled to conduct surveillance missions over Niger State and its environs in connection with the concerted efforts to secure the release of the students/staff abducted from the Government Science College Kagara, Niger State.
“As earlier stated, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, has instituted an investigative panel to determine the remote and immediate causes of the accident. While the panel has commenced its work, the NAF, having notified the Next of Kins/family members of the deceased, regretfully announces that the following seven personnel lost their lives in the crash”.
It added: “Earlier, the CAS visited the scene of the accident, in company of the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retired); Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor, and other Service Chiefs. The CAS, on behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, once more commiserates with the families of the deceased personnel and prays that the Almighty God grants their souls eternal repose”.
Course mates mourn pilots of crashed NAF aircraft
By Precious Igbonwelundu
Course mates of the two pilots who flew the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) B350i aircraft that crashed in Abuja have mourned their demise.
The pilots, Flight Lieutenants Ciroma Haruna Gadzama (Borno State) and Piyo Henry Piyo (Plateau), were among seven NAF personnel who died after the Minna-bound jet developed engine problem and made a detour to Abuja where it crash landed.
Members of the 62 Regular Course(RC), Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) who spoke to The Nation described the two officers as dutiful and committed.
“We all have negatives but Gadzy and Hyper T are Gentlemen that their positives surpass their negatives,” one of the officers said as he prayed for the repose of their souls.
Another officer described the deceased as amicable and thorough gentlemen, adding they completed their flying school at Ilorin, Kwara State.
“Honestly, they are 100 per cent friendly and even this morning I chatted with Gadzama. They will be remembered for their selfless service, discipline and dedication to the job.
“Both were very optimistic of this job, they find joy in doing what they are doing. We have lost great pilots that are always willing, able and ready to serve,” said the officer.
Similarly, a member of their crew, who was initially feared killed, took to her social media status to reassure her loved ones that she was not onboard the flight.
Screenshot of her status update, which was shared online read: “I can’t pick any call right now, but am alive, thank you all for the
calls and care. I am more scared for my life than anybody right now.
“All the seven persons that died are not strangers to me.
“I fly with the two captains often and the engineer ACM Johnson is my very close godson and he’s actually in my group. He posted my picture yesterday on his status and we (were)
laughing about it.
“This is an aircraft we all worked on last week. The Air Force lost seven vibrant souls today again and this time from my own household, my own home, my own happy place.
“The only difference is that I was not on flight today maybe I would have been the one (dead). My heart is heavy.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to social media to celebrate the bravery of the pilots who witnesses said spared the country major calamity by diverting the plane from crashing into residential neighbourhood.
Video footages shared online showed locals narrating in Hausa language how the pilot avoided landing in residential neighbourhood and maneuvered the plane towards the bush.
This account shared by multiple witnesses endeared the pilots to Nigerians who described them as heroes.
One Benkingsley Nwashara said: ‘‘This is the pilot. He made sure to avoid the plane crashing into residential area. Even at the point of death he chose to protect Nigerians. Rest on Gadzama, Rest on Hero. Rest in Peace General.”
Dimobika Chidoluo wrote: “Heartbreaking to learn of the crash near Abuja Airport. Our family friend and Hero Haruna Gadzama was the lead pilot who once again has shown his selfless personality by avoiding a crash into a major town. Rest in Peace brother, you will be missed.”

By Okodili Ndidi