The Nigerian Air Force has clarified claims that its helicopter crashed in the early hours of Monday in Tami village, located in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, saying it was one of its Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs, commonly known as drone that crashed, not a helicopter.
It also said it had commenced investigation to ascertain what might have caused the mishap, adding there was no single casualty since it was unmanned equipment.
Recall that helicopter belonging to NAF was said to have crashed in the early hours of Monday in Tami village, Igabi Local Government of the State.
An eyewitness, had disclosed that the incident occurred at about 5:00 am, causing significant alarm among locals.
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However, reacting to the incident, the spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, in a statement assured Nigerians that “this minor setback” would not impinge on the ongoing operations.
The statement read in part: “Contrary to reports on social media as well as on a handful of traditional media outlets that a NAF helicopter had crashed in Kaduna earlier today, 1 July 2024, be informed that no helicopter crash occurred.
“Instead, a NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) experienced a mishap after take-off for a mission, at a location near Rumji Village and about 15 Km from Base.
“Since it is an unmanned vehicle, there were no casualties on board or on ground. Preliminary investigation has since commenced to ascertain what may have caused the mishap.”
In the wake of the incident, a team of Airforce personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Air Training Centre and 401 Flying School were said to have cordoned off the scene to secure the area for emergency rescue operations and also investigate the cause of the crash.
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