I learnt about my husband’s death on WhatsApp – Wife of NAF pilot married for three weeks

Diepreye, the wife of the Nigerian Air Force pilot, Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob, who died in the January 2, 2019 Mi-35M helicopter crash, has said she learnt of his death on a WhatsApp status update,
The couple had their wedding on December 8, 2018, while the husband and four others died on January 2, 2019 during one of the numerous flights of the NAF Component of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Speaking with the PUNCH, Diepreye said: “My husband left for the trip five days after we got married and since he left, I’ve been alone. We spoke before he took off on the trip. When I tried his number at night, it was not going through and I switched off my phone afterwards. The following morning, I tried reaching him again, but it still was not going through.
“I went on WhatsApp and I saw the picture of my husband and his co-pilot with the caption: ‘Rest in Peace’ on the status update of one of his colleagues, who didn’t know that I had his WhatsApp number. When I saw it, I was so shocked that I threw my phone away in disbelieve. I picked it up again and went through it. Just as I was about running out of the house, the commander arrived to confirm my fear.”
Others who died alongside Jacob on January 2, 2019 at about 7:45pm were Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Kilyofas (co-pilot), Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim (flight technician), Lance Corporal Adamu Nura (gunner) and Aircraft Man Meshack Ishmael (gunner).

They were buried on Tuesday  at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.