The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, is probing the cause of the crash of its MI-171 Helicopter in Niger State on Monday.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Monday in Abuja disclosed that the aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School enroute Kaduna but crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger.
He said that efforts were on to rescue the crew and passengers on board the helicopter, while preliminary investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the crash.
Credible News reports that there have been a series of NAF helicopter crashes that have been recorded in the country.
On July 14, a trainer aircraft of the Nigeria Air Force crashed in Markurdi, the Benue State capital during routine training. No death was recorded but two pilots who were on board were taken to the NAF base hospital in Markurdi for treatment.
On February 22, 2021, seven NAF personnel on their way from Abuja to Minna, Niger State capital, died when their plane crashed after takeoff from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
In 2017, NAF has confirmed that one of its helicopters, Agusta 109 Light Utility, while undertaking a liaison mission in the North East, suffered a technical mishap and crashed into a pool of water in Borno State. No lives was lost.
Also in 2015, a NAF helicopter crashed into Ribadu Cantonment in Kaduna state on Saturday, killing all seven passengers.
