CDS, CDI Honour NAF Pilots’ Heroism in Jet Ejection Drama

General Olufemi Oluyede, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), visited two Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots recovering at the 063 NAF Hospital in Abuja on December 7, 2025. The pilots had safely ejected from an Alpha Jet that encountered an in-flight emergency during a routine post-inspection test flight at NAF Base Kainji on December 6. Their quick actions in diverting the aircraft from nearby communities prevented potential disaster, earning high praise for embodying the Armed Forces’ dedication to civilian safety. ​

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During the hospital briefing, the pilots detailed their calm execution of emergency protocols, from diagnosing the fault shortly after takeoff to activating the ejection seats. Accompanied by Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the CDS and CDI lauded the duo’s gallantry as a benchmark for aviation excellence. The CAS highlighted the vital role of the maintenance team, especially those handling the Aircraft Assisted Escape System, whose work ensured the pilots’ survival, and stressed ongoing priority on their full recovery. ​

The incident prompted CAS Aneke to order an immediate Board of Inquiry to probe the technical failure, while NAF spokespersons noted the seamless response from search-and-rescue, fire, and medical teams. Alpha Jets, key for training and counter-insurgency missions, underscore NAF’s operational rigour despite such setbacks. NAF reaffirmed its focus on personnel welfare and public protection amid nationwide security duties. ​