The Nigerian Air Force, on Wednesday, said only Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo was on its fighter jet, which crashed during an operation against bandits in Zamfara and Kaduna states’ forests on Sunday.

The aircraft was said to have been shot down by terrorists masquerading as bandits.  The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Commodore Edward Gabkwet, gave the explanation in response to speculations that other personnel were onboard the aircraft at the time of Sunday’s incident.

Gabkwet, who spoke to reporters in Abuja said, “The Alpha jet in question is a two-seater type, but only Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo undertook the mission on that fateful day.”