Monday 6 May 2013

Two dead as Nigerian fighter jet crashes in Niger

Aviation Nigeria


A Nigerian fighter jet with two crew members on board crashed in Niamey, the capital of Niger on Monday 5 may 2013.

The jet crashed near Dargol in the Tillabery region which borders Mali.

Reports indicate the crew were taking part in military operations against al Qaeda-linked Islamic militants, in Mali.

Confirming the incident, spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas told newsmen that the plane was an Alpha jet stationed in Niger as part of a Nigerian squadron supporting the mission in Mali.

“An investigation is going on to find out what happened. They were on a normal routine flight about 60 km (37 miles) west of Niamey when something happened.” Anas said

Nigerian troops are part of the largest contingent in a West African regional force participating in the French-led campaign to drive Islamist rebels from the country’s desert north.

The cause of the crash is still unknown.

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