(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Minister-of-defence-state-223x300.jpg) The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Aliyu Isma'ila on behalf of the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and staff of the Ministry sympathised with the Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim and the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Alex Badeh over the recent Nigeria Alfa fighter jet crash in Niamey, Niger Republic.
The fighter jet which was deployed to support the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) crashed while on non-combat fight, killing the two pilots on board.
The Permanent Secretary said that the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and the entire staff of the Ministry extend their deep sense of sympathy to the Nigerian military and the families of the two pilots involved in the crash.
Aliyu Isma'ila noted the challenges facing the security services and promised that the Ministry will continue to provide quality and timely services to the armed forces.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim commended the prompt response of the Permanent Secretary to the incident.
He said that the air mishap is one of the risks that security officers have to live with.
The Chief of Defence Staff confirmed that it was only three months ago that these fine military officers were deployed to assist in quelling the war that was spreading in Mali.
Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim said that this was a huge loss because it takes a long period of time to conceive, design, manufacture and deliver, on request, an Alfa jet.
He also said the administrative aspect of contacting concerned family members of these two fine pilots is ongoing presently.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria