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A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft was shot down by bandits on Sunday, July 18, 2021.

The pilot made an escape as bandits rained bullets.

NAF spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet, says the military jet was attacked while returning from an air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna States.

Gabkwet adds that the pilots and all other occupants were rescued, and that the jet's pilot, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, made an escape from the aircraft as the bandits rained bullets.

"Using his survival instincts, the pilot, who came under intense ground fire from the bandits, was able to evade them and sought refuge in nearby settlements awaiting sunset," Gabkwet says.

He adds that; “Using the cover of darkness and his phone set for navigation, Flight Lieutenant Dairo was able to elude several bandits’ strongholds and maneuvered his way to a Nigerian Army Unit, where he was finally rescued.

“It is instructive to note that upon receipt of the news of the crash, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, had directed that all efforts must be emplaced to rescue the pilot.

"Accordingly, NAF Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms and helicopter gunships provided close air support to NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops who were able to locate the crash site and the pilot’s parachute, while also combing nearby locations for any sign of the pilot.

"It is gladdening to note that while in hiding, Flight Lieutenant Dairo confirmed that the presence of NAF aircraft within the vicinity of the crash site helped in scaring the bandits who were after him, thus enabling him to find refuge and escape to a safe location."

Nigeria has been battling terrorists and bandits in its northern region for more than a decade.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative business for bandits in this region.

The Nigerian Air Force has set up a committee to conduct safety audit of its operational and engineering units, after recording multiple air crashes.

This was contained in a statement signed by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore, EDWARD GABKWET.

The Committee is to, among other terms of reference, analyse safety reports from operational and engineering units, conduct safety evaluation of NAF units and recommend measures to enhance safety of operations in the units.

The Committee including serving and retired senior officers to be chaired by Air Vice Marshal ABRAHAM ADOLE, is expected to submit its report not later than the 18thof June.

At least 20 military officers have lost their lives in the last three months in three crashes involving Nigerian Air Force jets, the last being a Friday crash in Kaduna which claimed the lives of 11 military personnel including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen IBRAHIM ATTAHIRU.