TWO PILOTS. ONE FINAL MISSION. A SACRIFICE WE MUST NEVER FORGET.
On 31 March 2021, Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet NAF475, carrying Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele, lost radar contact while supporting troops fighting insurgents in Borno State.
For almost a year, their fate remained unknown. Then, on 27 March 2022, troops of Operation Desert Sanity discovered the wreckage deep inside Sambisa Forest, Borno State, confirming the loss of the aircraft.
The exact cause of the crash was not conclusively established in the reports available.
But beyond the aircraft and the mission was something much bigger: two human beings who left home, climbed into a cockpit and flew into a dangerous theatre in service of Nigeria.
Somewhere, families were waiting for them to return.
They never did.
Today, we remember Flt Lt John Abolarinwa and Flt Lt Ebiakpo Chapele, not merely as names attached to a lost aircraft, but as Nigerian Air Force officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
May their souls rest in perfect peace. 🕊️
Never forget our fallen servicemen.
My work on the Denied in Avatar Aang! I did initial concepts for the airships in the film, as well as final color design for the lead Denied characters. Credits below
Never Again ! Remembering the capture of Baga and Bama.
On January 3 2015, Boko Haram fighters attacked and overran the Multinational Joint Task Force base in Baga, forcing soldiers and thousands of residents to flee. The terrorists seized control of the town, killing civilians in what became known as the Baga massacre.
In February 2015, the Nigerian Army launched an offensive and recaptured the strategic border town after a fierce battle and declared "never again" would insurgents seize Nigerian territory or inflict such large scale destruction.
One month later in March 2015 the Nigerian army launched an offensive to liberate Bama in one of the most significant battles of 2015.
The Nigerian military spent five days pounding Boko Haram weapon installations and fortified hideouts using heavy artillery and fighter jets.
After a week of aerial and artillery bombardment troops from the 7 Division launched their assaulton March 5, 2015.
Boko Haram, in anticipation of the invasion had heavily mined the town and used remaining civilians as human shields. Soldiers had to clear these traps slowly to minimize casualties.
By mid March 2015, the military had completely routed Boko Haram from Bama and begun securing the wider local government area. It marked the last time Boko Haram would successfully hold territory on Nigerian soil.
THE DOWNFALL OF A MAN IS NOT THE END OF HIS LIFE.
On 15 August 2018, after three years at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kazah Seth Didam stood at the Cadets Brigade Headquarters waiting to be de-kitted following his withdrawal.
The person de-kitting him said:
“It is my duty to make sure that your types are weeded out of the Academy… most Cadets who get thrown out struggle to make it in life.”
As his dream of becoming an Army officer crumbled, Kazah told his mother: My downfall in NDA will nit be my end.
In 2019, he gained admission into Bayero University, Kano, to study Petroleum Engineering. Despite ASUU strikes, COVID-19 and an additional year, he kept going.
THE DOWNFALL OF A MAN IS NOT THE END OF HIS LIFE.
On 15 August 2018, after three years at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kazah Seth Didam stood at the Cadets Brigade Headquarters, waiting to be de-kitted following his withdrawal from the Academy.
Kazah had made a mistake. He faced the consequences, took his correction, and was withdrawn from the Academy. It was a painful lesson, but instead of allowing that mistake to define him, he learnt from it, took responsibility and chose to rebuild.
Someone even told him that many Cadets who were thrown out struggled to make it in life. But Kazah had already made up his mind that his story would not end there.
He told his mother:
“Mum, I’m sorry I got withdrawn, but my downfall in NDA will not be my end. I promise to make you proud.”
And he went back to work.
In 2019, he gained admission to Bayero University, Kano, to study Petroleum Engineering. ASUU strikes came. COVID-19 came. An additional year came. None of them could stop a man who had already decided to turn his mistake into a lesson.
Fast forward to 2026.
Eight years after leaving NDA, Kazah graduated with First Class Honours in Petroleum Engineering and emerged Best Graduating Student in his class.
Think about that.
A young man who once made a costly mistake, faced correction and watched one dream collapse eventually stood on another platform as the best graduating student in his class.
That is the part of life we often forget:
A mistake can humble you without destroying you. A setback can correct your direction without cancelling your destination.
Taking correction is not weakness. Accepting responsibility is not defeat. What matters is what you do after the lesson has been learnt.
Kazah did not spend eight years arguing with his past. He used it to build his future.
In 2018, he lost one dream. In 2026, he graduated First Class.
And this is only the beginning. He is already on course for several scholarship opportunities and, hopefully, many more achievements ahead.
Never let one bad chapter convince you that the book is finished.
Sometimes, the lesson that breaks your pride becomes the foundation that builds your future.
Per Aspera Ad Astra.
Through hardships to the stars.
Congratulations, my brother. You fell, you learnt, you took your correction, you got back up, and you kept moving.
May this be the beginning of a much bigger story.
A final year student of the University of Ilorin has dedicated his research project to the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
From his early years in a military school to the completion of his degree in a civilian university, his connection to the military has remained unwavering.
In his dedication, he wrote:
_“This project is my salute to the heroes who fought to uphold the glory of our nation and keep the country from falling apart, and to the civilians who suffered in the process. They gave their lives so that others could live in peace.”_ 🫡🕊️🇳🇬
His gesture stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by service personnel, and of the enduring impact of their service on future generations.
@MUBARAQ_ABUU
#ThankASoldier