A Nigerian Air Force operation in Niger State ended abruptly on Saturday after an Alpha Jet reportedly went down near Karabonde, a community in Borgu Local Government Area. Despite the crash, both pilots survived after successfully ejecting from the aircraft.
Confirmation of the incident first emerged from Lapai TV, a Niger State–based digital television network, which announced the development on its official Facebook page. The station reported that “two Nigerian Air Force pilots reportedly survive Alpha Jet crash close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.” The update was accompanied by a 57-second video from the scene.
Additional details surfaced through an eyewitness who spoke to PUNCH Online, providing a 48-second voice note via WhatsApp and a separate 59-second video. The eyewitness confirmed that the pilots managed to eject before the jet hit the ground, preventing casualties.
Authorities have yet to issue a formal statement on the cause of the crash, but visuals circulating online show residents gathering around the crash site as emergency responses begin.
