A NAF aircraft, on a routine mission in support of its own troops at one of the Theatres of Operation in northern Nigeria, has lost radar contact.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet wrote on his official Twitter handle.
“A radar system is used at airports to detect and display the presence and position of aircraft in the terminal area and the airspace around airports. It is the main air traffic control system for the airspace around airports”.
Air Commodore Gabkwet says the whereabouts of the jet is unknown, but a search effort is in progress.
“A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha-Jet has lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
“The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. The loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 pm on 31 March 2021.
“Details of the whereabouts of the aircraft or likely cause of contact loss are still sketchy but will be relayed to the general public as soon as they become clear.
“Meanwhile, search and rescue efforts are ongoing.”
RN