By Francis Ekeh

The Nigerian Air Force has said its FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed today, at about 1615 hours in Makurdi, Benue State.

Director of Public Relations and Information at the NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gankwer said in a statement that the incident happened while on a routine training exercise.

“Luckily, the 2 pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft.

“Additionally, there was no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.

“Both pilots are currently under observation at NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi” He said.

Consequently, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a Board of Inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.