Air Force Release Names Of Dead Pilots

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FOLLOWING the Alpha Jet air crash on Monday, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has released the names of the two officers who died in the crash.

The deceased, Squadron Leader Benjamin Bem Ado and Flying Officer Ayuba Joab Layelmenson, were part of NAF’s contigent in the African-led international support mission in Mali stationed in Niamey, Niger Republic.

According to a release signed by NAF Director of Public Relations, Air Commodre Y. Anas, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, Ado, who hailed from Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, was, until his death, a member of the 50th regular course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

“Ado, an instructor pilot who had flown many aircraft types in the inventory of NAF, as well as in Pakistan and the United States (US), was married and blessed with a child,” the statement added.

Layelmenson, according to the statement, was from Azare, in Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State and was a member of the 57th Regular Course.

He was stated to have graduated from the Hellenic Air Force Academy in July 11, commissioned into NAF as a pilot officer and was a qualified squadron pilot on the Alpha Jet before his death.

He was survived by his parents.

The Chief of Air Staff (COAS), Air Marshall Alex Badeh, on Tuesday, paid a condolence visit to the families of the deceased in Kaduna and Kanji, respectively.

During his visit, he expressed his sadness over the incident, praying for the soul of the departed and the families, the fortitude to bear the loss.