Air Force officers who survived last week Nigerian Air Force Independence day jet rehearsal crash have received a Presidential visit, as President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday evening, paid a get-well-quick visit to the two Nigerian Air Force officers who are still receiving treatment at the Defence Intelligence Agency hospital in Abuja.
President Buhari was out of the country when the unfortunate incident happened, only returned to the country in the wee hours of Sunday from New York, where he had attended the 73rd United Nations General Assembly and immediately went to see the Air Force officers.
President Buhari meeting the Air Force officers, spoke with Squadron Leader Batuba, and Flight Lieutenant Andy, giving glory to God for sparing their lives.
The President also comiserated with them on the loss of their colleague, Squadron Leader M.B Babari and prayed that God would give the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.
Chief of Medical Services at the hospital, Air Vice Marshal Saleh Shinkafi, assured President Buhari that the medical condition of the officers was improving steadily, and that they were being kept for further rest and counselling, as part of the rehabilitation process.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was also on hand to receive the President, explained that the three pilots ejected successfully from their jets after the collision, while training for air parade to mark the country’s 58th Independence Anniversary, but the helmet of Babari flew open, and he suffered head injuries that turned fatal.
Among others that received the President at the hospital were his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman.
The President’s statement reads:
“Today I visited Squadron Leader Batuba & Flight Lieutenant Andy,the two survivors of the tragic collision of 2 Nigerian Air Force fighter jets on Friday in Abuja. I pray for their quick recovery,and also for the family of Squadron Leader Babari, who lost his life in the incident”
(NAN)