A Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet has reportedly crashed near Karabonde in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, sparking fear among residents but resulting in no loss of life as both pilots survived.
The incident occurred late Saturday afternoon and was first reported by Lapai TV, a Niger State–based digital media network.
In a brief post accompanied by a 57-second video, Lapai TV announced: “Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.”
Eyewitness accounts have since corroborated the incident. One witness, in an audio note and video shared via WhatsApp, confirmed that the two pilots successfully ejected before the aircraft went down. According to him, the plane appeared to have taken off from the Kainji Air Force Base, and personnel were quickly mobilised to the crash location.
One of the local resident Lukman Sulaiman described the tense moments leading up to the crash. He said the jet flew unusually low over the community, trailing smoke and flames.
“It happened some miles away from my home,” Sulaiman explained. “We were all at home when suddenly we saw an Alpha Jet coming very close to our roofs, with smoke and fire. Thank God it didn’t crash into the town. The pilots were able to direct it a few miles away, to the outskirts. They ejected safely using their parachutes.”
Sulaiman said the impact created a loud explosion that initially caused panic among villagers, with some fearing an attack. “Some people ran away, but later everyone started moving toward the scene. By the time we got there, the pilots had already left and were taken back to their base. We saw them from a distance making their way out.”
He added that the wreckage burned intensely for nearly 30 minutes before responders from the nearby military base—mobilised after residents raised alarm—arrived with a fire truck to contain the flames.
As of press time, the Nigerian military had not yet released an official statement on the incident.
