2 pilots survive as Nigerian Air Force jet crashes in Niger

Luck was on the side of two pilots as a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet has crashed near Karabonde in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State in the north central Nigeria.

The two pilots onboard the fighter jet reportedly ejected from the aircraft before it went down on Saturday.

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A video of the ill-fated jet has gone viral with several reactions trailing the incident amid insurgency battle.

A native of Niger State explained how the aircraft took off from the Kainji Air Force Base, but thank Almighty Allah for the survival of the two pilots.

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“It happened a few miles from my house. The jet came very close to our roofs with smoke and flames. Thankfully, it didn’t crash inside the town. The pilots managed to steer it away before ejecting,” he said.

He added that the impact caused a loud explosion, prompting residents to flee in fear, believing miscreants had launched an attack.

“People ran towards the scene after the crash. By the time we arrived, the pilots had already left and were taken back to their base. The aircraft burned for about 30 minutes before firemen from the nearby military base arrived,” he narrated.

In a statement by the Nigeria Air Force’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said there was an inflight emergency shortly after it took off at NAF Base Kainji.

According to the statement, the two pilots displayed professionalism in steering the jet away from populated area before ejecting to avoid casualties.

They are currently undergoing medical evaluation for possible attention.

“NAF commends the exceptional bravery and professionalism of its Alpha Jet pilots who safely ejected following an in-flight emergency today, 6 December 2025,” the statement read in part.

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