A military jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) crashed on Saturday near Karabonde in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Both pilots on the NAF Jet reportedly ejected safely and are currently undergoing medical evaluation.

Eyewitnesses say the jet, an Alpha Jet, went down around 4:10 p.m. after the crew signaled an in-flight emergency.

Residents described seeing the aircraft descend in distress before the pilots ejected and the jet crashed in a remote area, sparking a fire.

Local media outlet Lapai TV shared a short video showing smoke rising at the crash site, where villagers gathered soon after

Despite the dramatic descent, no civilian casualties have been reported.

The NAF confirmed the incident, attributing the crash to a technical malfunction during what was described as a post-inspection functional check flight from Kainji Air Force Base. Spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame praised the pilots’ quick thinking, saying they successfully steered the stricken jet away from populated areas before ejecting.

A Board of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, the NAF reaffirmed its commitment to aviation safety and pledged thorough scrutiny and accountability.

Investigation into the technical fault that caused the jet’s failure will be closely watched by the public and aviation authorities.

The NAF’s maintenance and inspection protocols are likely to be reviewed to prevent recurrence.