Late Squadron Leader M.B. Babari
The Nigeria Air Force pilot that flew one of the two ill-fated F-7N fighter jets that crashed in Katempe, a suburb of Abuja has been given as Squadron Leader M.B. Babari from NAF base Makurdi.
The other two survivors also from Makurdi Air force base are Squadron Leader Batuba and Flight Lieutenant Andy.
A reliable source said friends, colleagues and civilian staff at NAF base Makurdi are weeping over the late officer, described as very friendly and easy going.
Late Squadron Leader Babari was rehearsing for Nigeria’s October 1 Independence day air parade before he collided with another jet and crashed. Despite, the successful ejection of the officer pilot from his aircraft before the crash, Babari died.
The Nigeria Air Force had confirmed the death of Babari, who was one of the pilots who ejected from one of the two NAF jets that crashed on Friday.
The Air Force spokesman Ibikunle Daramola had confirmed the death of the pilot in a tweet on the Force’s official Twitter account.
“It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce that one of the pilots who successfully ejected from one of the F-7Ni aircraft that crashed earlier today has passed on. May his soul RIP. Additional details on the incident will be communicated later.”
Hours after the crash the details of the officer pilot was revealed as Squadron Leader M.B. Babari from Makurdi Air Force base while the other survivors were identified Squadron Leader Batuba and Flight Lieutenant Andy, also from the same base.
The NAF pilots were rehearsing for Nigeria’s October 1 Independence Day air parade before the two F-7Ni aircrafts collided and crashed on Mpape hill in Abuja.
Meanwhile, a photojournalist with The Guardian, Philip Ojisua, who was the first journalist to get to the scene of the crash site, was physically assaulted by officers of the Force for taking pictures of the wreckage.
The Guardian
