President Muhammadu Buhari paid a visit today to squadron Leader Batuba and Flight Lieutenant Andy, the two survivors of Nigerian Air Force jets that crashed on Friday September 28th.
The president commiserated with them at the Defense Intelligence Hospital in Abuja on the loss of their colleague, Squadron Leader M.B Babari.
See photos below…
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina stated that by about 5.30 p.m, the President turned up at the hospital, to pay a morale boosting visit to the injured officers.
According to the statement…
“He rejoiced with Squadron Leader Batuba, and Flight Lieutenant Andy, giving glory to God for sparing their lives. He also commiserated with them on the loss of their colleague, Squadron Leader M.B Babari. He prayed that God would give the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Chief of Medical Services at the hospital, Air Vice Marshal Saleh Shinkafi, reportedly assured President Buhari that the medical condition of the officers was improving steadily, and that they were being kept for further rest and counseling, as part of the rehabilitation process.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was also on hand to receive the President, explained that the three pilots ejected successfully from their jets after the collision, while training for air parade to mark the country’s 58th Independence Anniversary, but the helmet of Babari flew open, and he suffered head injuries that turned fatal.
Among others that received the President at the hospital were his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari, and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman.