Boko Haram Take Down Surveillance Plane In Borno #Nekxfresh

Last week a military plane allegedly carrying
foreign mercenaries was shot down by suspected
Boko Haram terrorists in Borno state. However,
this news did not make headlines.

Investigations by Sahara Reporters threw a little
more light on the incident. Below, read what we know
and what we do not know at the moment.


1. Who was on board?
Five Ukrainian mercenaries and a Nigerian pilot were
allegedly on board. The foreign soldiers did not
survive, while the pilot reportedly suffered critical
injuries and might be alive.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Abuja did not comment
on the issue, and recommended enquirers to contact
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Ukrainian
capital, Kiev.


2. What was the purpose of the flight?
The aircraft was most likely a surveillance plane that
was carrying out reconnaissance and photographing
over Sambisa forest, a notorious stronghold for the
Islamist Boko Haram sect.


3. Do the terrorists really have anti-air
capabilities?
The plane was most-likely hit by a ZU-23-2 twin anti-
air gun. It is capable of engaging low-flying targets at
a range of 2.5 km. Terrorists possess many of them,
and can shoot a plane easily, especially during take
off and landing.


4. What the Nigerian military have to say
The spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force,
Comodore Alonge, said he was not aware of the
crash.

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Colonel S.K
Usman, promised to reply later, but he had not done
it for more than 48 hours after the initial request.
Two other officials at the Defence headquarters in
Abuja refused to discuss the alleged air crash.
According to the report by Sahara Reporters, the
Nigerian military maintains an air unit composed of
mercenaries and foreign specialists of all kinds. This
unit is distinct from the NAF, to the point that the two
are often in conflict over air operations in the north
east.