JUST IN: Air Force makes U-turn, admits pilot survives as bandits shoot down jet in Kaduna

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft was shot down by bandits, on Sunday.

There have been reports of a military aircraft which crashed but the authorities have denied the story.

However, in a statement, on Monday, Spokesman of NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the aircraft was attacked while returning from an air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna states.

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He, however, said the pilots and all other occupants were rescued, saying the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft.

According to him, “Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset.”