A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet on a routine post-maintenance test flight crashed on Friday, 6 December 2025, near Karabonde community in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, north-central Nigeria.
The incident, which occurred in the afternoon hours, sent plumes of smoke into the sky and triggered widespread panic among residents of the largely rural area close to Kainji Air Base.
What Happened
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the twin-engine trainer/combat aircraft flying at an unusually low altitude while trailing thick smoke shortly after departing Kainji Air Base, home to the NAF’s 407 Air Combat Training Wing.
Moments later, the jet plunged into a bushy, unpopulated area just outside Karabonde, exploding on impact and creating a large fireball visible from several kilometres away.
In a display of exceptional airmanship, both pilots successfully ejected from the stricken aircraft using their Martin-Baker ejection seats and parachuted to safety.
The NAF confirmed that the crew deliberately steered the jet away from residential buildings and farms, averting what could have been a devastating loss of civilian life.
Both aviators were swiftly located by search-and-rescue teams, airlifted by helicopter, and transported to a military medical facility for evaluation and treatment.
Official sources describe their condition as stable, with no life-threatening injuries reported.
Official Response
The Nigerian Air Force released a brief statement through its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa:
“A NAF Alpha Jet aircraft on a routine post-maintenance test flight from Kainji experienced an in-flight emergency and subsequently crashed in a location away from populated areas. Both pilots ejected safely and are currently receiving medical attention. A Board of Inquiry has been constituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the mishap.”
Security operatives from the Air Force, Army, and Nigeria Police have cordoned off the crash site to secure the wreckage, preserve evidence, and prevent unauthorised access.
Local residents have gathered at a safe distance, with many expressing relief that no ground casualties occurred.
About the Alpha Jet
The Dornier Alpha Jet, jointly developed by France and Germany in the 1970s, has been a mainstay of the Nigerian Air Force since the early 1980s.
Used primarily for advanced pilot training and light attack roles, the NAF fleet has seen extensive service in counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast.
While regarded as rugged and reliable, the ageing Alpha Jet fleet has undergone periodic life-extension programmes and local maintenance at Kainji and Makurdi.
This particular aircraft was reportedly completing a post-inspection check flight following scheduled servicing.
Broader Context of Recent NAF Incidents
The 6 December crash marks the latest in a string of Nigerian military aviation incidents over the past decade, often attributed to a combination of ageing airframes, maintenance challenges, and operational tempo.
Notable previous events include:
- October 2021 – Alpha Jet shot down by “friendly fire” in Zamfara State
- July 2021 – Alpha Jet captured by bandits after pilot ejected in Zamfara
- February 2021 – Beechcraft King Air 350i crash that killed Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru
Military analysts have repeatedly called for accelerated fleet modernisation, with the NAF already taking delivery of new A-29 Super Tucano and T-129 ATAK platforms while negotiating for additional M-346 and JF-17 aircraft.
Community Reaction
Residents of Karabonde and surrounding villages described hearing a loud explosion followed by the sound of the jet breaking the sound barrier as it descended. Many praised the pilots’ quick thinking:
“We saw the parachute first, then the big fire. Allah saved us because if it had fallen on houses, many people would have died,” a local farmer told reporters at the scene.
The Borgu LGA Chairman has assured citizens that the situation is under control and urged them to allow investigators unrestricted access.
Investigation and Next Steps
The newly convened Board of Inquiry, standard procedure for all NAF mishaps, will examine flight data recorders, maintenance logs, pilot statements, and wreckage analysis to determine the exact cause—whether mechanical failure, bird strike, systems malfunction, or human factors.
Preliminary findings are expected within weeks, with a public summary to follow once sensitive operational details are redacted.
ICBNews is monitoring developments and will provide updates as more details emerge from official channels.
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