A tragic incident unfolded as a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter, which was on a mission to evacuate the bodies of 12 security personnel who had been killed by bandits in Niger State, crashed in the Chukuba area of Shiroro local government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The helicopter’s crash has sparked speculation about its cause, with concerns raised over the possibility of the bandits’ sophisticated weaponry playing a role.
According to an unnamed source, there remains uncertainty about whether the bandits’ attack directly caused the helicopter’s crash….CONTINUE READING
Reports indicate that the bandits were armed with advanced weaponry capable of downing helicopters. A local villager, who wished to remain anonymous, informed LEADERSHIP that the village had already been abandoned due to repeated attacks by the bandits in the surrounding areas.
An undisclosed government official confirmed that Niger State authorities had been briefed on the crash but refrained from revealing the exact cause behind the incident.
The helicopter had initially arrived in Zungeru, located in the Wushishi local government area, to undertake the mission of evacuating the deceased security operatives and those injured for better medical care. Tragically, within a short span of time after returning to base, the helicopter crashed, resulting in further casualties.
Military sources revealed that the helicopter had taken off from Kaduna Airfield with a destination of Minna. However, it lost contact with control towers in both Kaduna and Minna. A military spokesperson, referring to the incident, explained, “The helicopter took off from Kaduna Military Airfield to Minna but lost all contact with Minna Tower, and communication with the helicopter from Kaduna Tower was impossible.”
In an official statement, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information, detailed that the helicopter had been on a mission to evacuate casualties when the crash occurred near Chukuba Village in the Shiroro local government area. The aircraft had initially departed from Zungeru Primary School and was en route to Kaduna before the crash.
While the exact number of passengers on board was not disclosed, efforts are currently underway to rescue both the crew and passengers involved in the crash.
The statement further noted, “Preliminary investigations have begun to ascertain the likely cause of the crash.”
Recent events indicated that the 12 security personnel, predominantly military personnel, had tragically lost their lives to bandit attacks between Sunday and the morning prior.
These incidents took place in Kundu via Zungeru and Chukuba within the Shiroro local government areas of Niger State.
