Ex-DSS Director Questions NAF Aircraft Mission After Crash

Mike Ejiofor, the President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANIAS) and a former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), raised concerns regarding the mission of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in Ondo State. Ejiofor expressed skepticism about the aircraft being on a reconnaissance mission due to the reported presence of 25 passengers and five crew members, including children.

He suggested that the aircraft might have been used to transport individuals rather than for operational purposes. Ejiofor called for a comprehensive investigation into military aircraft operations, emphasizing the need to examine maintenance histories, aircraft ages, and operational conditions, rather than focusing solely on the immediate cause of the crash.

He noted that there have been over ten military aircraft crashes in the past decade, highlighting the urgency for a thorough review of the Air Force's operational practices. Ejiofor also pointed out discrepancies in reports regarding the number of people aboard the aircraft.