Tragedy Unfolds as Nigerian Air Force Helicopter Crashes During Vital Casualty Evacuation Mission
A heart-wrenching incident has transpired on Monday as a MI-171 Helicopter from the Nigerian Air Force engaged in a critical casualty evacuation mission met a disastrous fate near Chukuba Village, nestled in Niger State.
The grievous mishap unfolded at approximately 1pm, leaving a shroud of uncertainty regarding the number of individuals on board and their current state.
Edward Gabkwet, the official spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), issued a solemn statement confirming the distressing turn of events.
“Departing from Zungeru Primary School on its route to Kaduna, the aircraft’s trajectory was tragically disrupted, culminating in a crash near Chukuba Village within the bounds of the Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State.”
He continued, “Active efforts are currently underway to extricate both the crew and passengers from the helicopter. In parallel, preliminary inquiries have been initiated to unravel the probable catalyst behind this tragic incident.”
In the midst of this sorrowful episode, rescue operations are tirelessly being carried out to ensure the safety of those aboard the ill-fated helicopter. Simultaneously, investigators have embarked on the initial stages of deciphering the underlying causes that led to this unfortunate crash.