Reactions As Air Force Reveals Names Of Pilots In Crashed Jet

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Saturday, April 3rd, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Nigerian Air Force have disclosed the names of the two pilots that were on board the crashed Air Force jet which was reported to be missing in their radar and has sparked controversies.

Our correspondent had reported the missing fighter jet and Boko Haram had claimed responsibility for taking down the jet.

However, the Air Force had jettisoned the claim saying that the insurgents are not capable of bringing down the jet.

What brought the anger of some Nigerians were the names of the two pilots, Flight Lt. John Abolarinwa & Flight Lt. Ebiakpo Chapele, who were southerners. According to some Nigerians, it is unfair for the northerners to occupy the top juicy positions in the armed forces while southerners become the “sacrificial lamb” in the Boko Haram war in the north.

The African Examiner recalls that, February this year, some officers who were predominantly from the southern part of the country died in the Beechcraft King air B350i plane crash in Abuja. The officers who died include: Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain), Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-pilot), Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System specialist).

Others are Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS specialist), Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS specialist), Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS specialist), Aircraft man Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).

This development made some Nigerians took to the micro-blogging platform wondering the rationale behind the development. These are people’s reactions below

adeNiyi@delaniyi writes: “I have gone thru D list & I understand ur point, but D present discuss is about SECURITY & the list didn’t reflect southerners dominating. When a northern soldier shoots at a fellow soldier because he was killing boko haram too much, then you will understand we can’t win the war.”

Rinu #EndSARS@SavvyRinu wrote: “RIP Flight Lt. John Abolarinwa & Flight Lt. Ebiakpo Chapele, officers of the NAF. Yesterday’s survivors, today’s victims.”

OBD@blunt_cookie wrote: “It’s always the Southerners that are casualties. Why can’t they resign or run away from this death trap.”

MACD@MCDOFF wrote: “Both were southerners , the terrorist government keeps killing southern soldiers.”

Elocution_E.E@EE15591362 wrote: “The Northern Fulani dominates the military, Air Force etc but anytime you hear of air mayhem, the victims will be the minority Southerners in the aforementioned. If this didn’t call for any concern, then i wonder how the Southerners in the service think.”

JOHNNY@johnnyovadose wrote: “Nah southerners they fight insurgency in d north, but nah northerners they get all d juicy appointments and position nationwide ..RIP to our brothers,whom are being marched to their death for the purpose of peace.”

Prince | Of | Africaˢᵀ@rickieflamez wrote: “They will just gather southerners in the air force, navy and army for an operation, then give Intel to boko haram for execution just to cleanse the military of “infidels”. If you are still serving as a southerner in Nigeria’s military, u are on ur own!!”