Senate is investigating the recent spate of crashed military jets with the exercise taking off in Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Niger states. Three committees, Air Force, Navy and Aviation, have been mandated to handle the investigation.
The probe started with the visit of the three committees to the Nigerian Air Force training institutions in Kaduna State yesterday.
In December 2012, a Navy helicopter crashed in Bayelsa State, killing former governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Azazi (rtd). Also, earlier this month, an Air Force jet crashed on its way to Mali for the African-led intervention in the war-torn country, killing both pilots.
Navy Committee Chairman, Chris Anyanwu, led the joint committee with further visits to be extended to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Lagos and Niger states.
Anyanwu expressed worry over the number of military jet crashes and reiterated that it was too early to speak on steps to be taken to stem the tide. “This is our first stop because we are still going to visit the operational bases of the Air Force and the Navy in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Kainji, Niger State.