Abuja crash: We don’t investigate military accidents – AIB

The Accident Investigation Bureau, on Sunday, said that it does not investigate military incidents or accidents except when invited.

General Manager, Public Affairs, AIB, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, made this known in a message sent to The PUNCH.

A jet operated by the Nigerian Air Force had crashed in Abuja earlier today. Seven persons aboard the military aircraft, King Air 350, were killed in the accident.

The jet en route Minna in Niger State crashed close to the runway of the Abuja airport after reporting engine failure.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in a tweet, described the accident as “fatal” and prayed for the “departed souls”.

Reacting, the AIB which is the investigating commission in charge of all aviation-related accidents and incidents in Nigeria, said it does not investigate military accidents except when invited.

“There was an accident involving a military aircraft. By the power established AIB-N, we do not investigate military incidents or accident except where invited. Please direct all your enquiries to the appropriate authorities,” AIB spokesman said.

Efforts to reach NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, proved abortive as of the time of filing this report as his phone rang out.