Amidst tears, NAF crash victims buried in Abuja

The burial of seven Airforce Officers who lost their lives on Sunday was held at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

Recall the officers were crew members of the ill-fated Beechcraft King Air 350 that crashed at Bassa village near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while on a reconnaissance mission to Niger State.

This was contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigeria Airforce, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, Thursday.

According to the statement, the Aircraft reported engine failure shortly after take-off from Abuja and were on their way back to base when the crash occurred.

Read Also:Breaking: NAF plane crashes in Abuja with no survivor

It said present at the burial were the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi and other Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor.

‘’The relatives of the late officers are also present at the cemetery where not an eye is left dry and the nation mourns the death of some of its finest soldiers,’’ said the statement.

‘’Speaking while the crew was being laid to rest, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Oladayo Amao asked officers and men of the Nigerian Airforce to remain committed to the fight against terrorism in a bid to ensure that the sacrifices of their comrades will not be in vain.’’

The statement said the bodies were lowered into the grave at exactly 1 pm and accorded full Military honours and the traditional 21 gunshot salute.

It was an emotional event as colleagues of the late officers, wives and family members of the deceased, wept uncontrollably.

The Chief of Air Staff in his address described the deceased officers as courageous heroes in whom the Force had so much confidence.

He assured that the Nigerian Air Force will throw in everything to ensure that the deceased officers did not die in vain.