Nigeria Aircraft En Route Niger Crashes In Chukuba Village

Nigeria Aircraft on evacuation mission to rescue wounded Nigeria soldiers have crashed in Niger State.

A yet to be ascertained information indicated that Bandits may have shot down the Nigeria aircraft at Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on Monday afternoon.

Nigerian Air Force authority has confirmed the crash of the Nigeria aircraft. The Force said the military helicopter was on evacuation mission to rescue wounded Nigeria soldiers. Adding, investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the cause of the crash. But unverified information indicated that the NAF aircraft was shot down by bandits loyal to a terrorist kingpin, operating between Niger and Kaduna states.

The Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed on Monday near Chukuba Village in Niger State at about 1pm.

NAF Spokesman, Edwcraard Gabkwet, said in a statement thus:

“A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed today, 14 August 2023 at about 1.00pm near Chukuba Village in Niger State

“The aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School enroute Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

“Efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the crew and passengers on board the helicopter, while preliminary investigations have commenced to determine the probable cause of the crash.”

Meanwhile, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has extended his sympathy to the Nigerian Air Force over the crash of its MI-171 Helicopter in Chukuba community in Shiroro local government area of the State.

The Governor in a message by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the incident as shocking and worrisome. While assuring the Nigerian Air Force of his administration’s readiness to support it and other security agencies in the fight against banditry and other forms of crime, Governor Umaru Bago encouraged them not to relent in sustaining the fight against criminalities.