The pilot of the Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft that crashed on Sunday has been identified as Flt. Lt. Haruna Gazman.
Confirming the crash in a post on Twitter on Sunday, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, announced that the accident appears fatal.
He wrote, “A military aircraft King Air 350 has just crashed short of our Abuja runway after reporting engine failure en-route, Minna. It appears to be fatal.”
“We should remain calm & wait for the outcome of an investigation by the military, while we pray for the departed soul/souls if any.”
A Twitter user identified as Emmanuel Mac-den noted that Gazman who he described as his friend was the pilot aircraft.
He wrote, “My friend was the pilot of that flight, rest well Haruna Gazman.”
In another tweet, Mac-den wrote, “Nigerian government failed you, dearest, Haruna Gazman. Keep resting well. You’re a fighter.”
Four others on the plane are Flt. Lt. Piyo, Flg. Offr. Okpara, FS Olawumi and ACM Johnson.