A Nigerian warplane crashed in Niger Republic yesterday from where it
was conducting military operations in neighboring Mali, and the two
pilots were killed, an army source in Niamey said.
The fighter jet was
part of Nigeria’s air fleet engaged with an African force battling
hardline Islamists in Mali.
The Niger military source said it had suffered a “mechanical”
problem. “A Nigerian fighter plane crashed this morning (Monday) in the
Dargol zone (west), killing the two pilots,” the officer said.
Chaibou
Massalatchi, the head of Niamey’s Airport, said the plane had taken off
yesterday to do reconnaissance mission. Nigerian army spokesman
Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru confirmed the jet belonged to his
country’s air force, but gave no further details.
But commenting, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade also confirmed that
two pilot were killed when the Alpha Jet fighter went down 37 miles (60
kilometers) West of Niamey.
French and Chadian planes and United States
drones have used the Niamey airport as a base for their operations in
Mali. The 6,000-strong African-led International Support Mission to Mali
(AFISMA) has taken over the lead from France in supporting Mali’s army
in the battle against Al-Qaeda-linked extremists.
This operation launched in January drove the Islamists from
key cities they had seized in northern Mali. But the Islamists have
turned to suicide bombings and guerrilla attacks in reclaimed territory.
AFISMA will eventually be incorporated into a 12,600-strong
peacekeeping force, following a UN resolution in April.
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