NAF Gallant Crew, Flight Liutanant
NAF Gallant Crew, Flight Liutanant Perowei Jabo, Flight Liutanant
Kaltho Paul Kilyofas, Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Adamu
Nura, Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael
Crashed Helicopter: NAF Lays to Rest Gallant Crew
Members
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has laid to rest the bodies of the
5 fallen heroes who died in the Mi-35M helicopter that crashed in
Damasak, Borno State on 2 January 2019 while providing close air
support to troops of 145 Battalion. The deceased personnel, who
were buried today, 8 January 2019, with full military honours at
the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, are; late Flight
Lieutenants Pereowei Jacob (Captain) and Kaltho Paul Kilyofas
(Co-pilot), Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim (Flight Technician), Lance
Corporal Adamu Nura (Gunner) and Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael
(Gunner).
Speaking during the burial ceremony, which had in attendance the
Honourable Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, the Chief of Air
Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, stated that the 5
gallant heroes lost their lives in the pursuit of the peace which
we often take for granted. He saluted their courage stating that
their deaths must spur the NAF to rededicate itself to even greater
service to the Nation while strengthening our collective resolve to
expose and fight all agents of destabilization and extremism in the
society. Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized that all members of the
Service must throw everything they have into the fight against
terrorism to ensure that our departed colleagues did not die in
vain. “We must do everything possible to bring the ongoing
insurgency in the North East to an end that is favourable to our
nation”, he said.
The CAS restated the commitment and unalloyed loyalty of the NAF
to the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Nigeria, President
Muhammadu Buhari, in his efforts at tackling the security
challenges facing the Nation. Air Marshal Abubakar ended his
remarks by praying for the repose of the souls of the fallen
heroes, who, he re-emphasized, had paid the supreme price in
pursuit of the peace and security of their fatherland. He said they
would be fondly remembered for their invaluable service to the
Nation and humanity. He therefore encouraged their families to take
solace in the knowledge that the Nation grieves with them, while
praying that time would ease their present pains.
The Chief of Administration Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal
Kingsley Lar, while reading the citation of the 5 deceased
personnel, noted that both pilots were members of 58 Regular Course
of the Nigerian Defence Academy. According to him, they were
exceptional and seasoned pilots who had great passion for their
jobs and carried out assigned tasks diligently. He remarked that
Sergeant Ibrahim Auwal was a dedicated Flight Technician while
Lance Corporal Nura Adamu and Aircraftman Meshach Ishmael were
committed Regiment personnel, who had participated in several air
combat missions against Terrorists’ locations within the Northeast
Theatre of Operation. Paying tribute to the fallen heroes, the
Commander 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), Air Commodore
Elijah Ebiowe, extolled their sterling qualities noting that their
patriotism, bravery, hard work and dedication to duty were glowing
testaments that exemplify one of the NAF’s Core Values of “Service
before Self”. While praying for the peaceful repose of their souls,
Air Commodore Ebiowe remarked that “they gave their today for our
tomorrow”. He said the Service and, indeed, the entire nation owed
them an unending debt of gratitude.
Other dignitaries present at the burial ceremony included the
representatives of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence,
Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs, along with other
serving and retired senior military officers. Also present were the
National President Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association
(NAFOWA), Hajiya Hafsat Abubakar, along with other members of
NAFOWA as well as friends and families of the deceased personnel.
Other highlights of the event included the presentation of National
Colours to the deceaseds’ Next-of-Kins by the CAS, laying of
wreaths by dignitaries and the representatives of the families of
the late personnel as well as the customary 21 gun salute and
playing of the last post. Faith services had earlier been conducted
by Group Captain (Reverend) Dogo Gani, Director Chaplaincy
(Protestant) Headquarters NAF, and Group Captain Luqman Lawal, the
Director Islamic Affairs Headquarters NAF, before the caskets were
lowered into the ground.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force