<p>LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities said an air force fighter jet lost contact days ago in Borno state while on a mission to support ground troops. </p>
<p>The jihadist group Boko Haram released a video Friday saying it shot down the jet, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity. </p>
<p>Boko Haram released a video that showed what appeared to be a plane as it exploded midair. The video also showed the remains of a man who was described as the pilot of the plane by a Boko Haram fighter who spoke in the local Hausa language. </p>
<p>The Nigerian Air Force inscription on the plane matches the registration number of the Alpha-Jet which the Air Force said went missing during combat Wednesday.</p>
<p>Air Force Spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said in a statement that the Alpha-Jet lost contact with radar in Borno State “while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops.” </p>
<p>The Air Force said Friday the plane which had two crew members might have crashed, adding that search and rescue efforts are ongoing.</p>
<p>“At this point, the NAF is not ruling out anything regarding the incident. It however remains hopeful that the crew would soon be found and rescued,” it said in a statement.</p>
<p>Boko Haram has killed tens of thousands of people in its more than 10 year insurgency, which has also spread to neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger. </p>
<p>The Nigerian-based jihadist group in 2014 also said it shot down a Nigerian air force jet.</p>
