The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dismissed claims that a helicopter crashed in Tami village, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in the early hours of Monday.
In a statement released on Monday, NAF spokesman Edward Gabkwet clarified that the incident involved an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), not a helicopter as previously reported.
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Gabkwet stated, “A NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle experienced a mishap after take-off for a mission, at a location near Rumji Village and about 15 Km from the Base. Since it is an unmanned vehicle, there were no casualties on board or on the ground.”
He added that a preliminary investigation is underway to determine the cause of the mishap. “Nigerians can rest assured that this minor setback will not, in any way, impinge on all ongoing operations,” Gabkwet assured.
Following the incident, a team of Air Force personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Air Training Centre and 401 Flying School secured the area to facilitate emergency rescue operations and investigate the cause of the UAV crash.
Earlier reports from local residents had suggested that a NAF helicopter had crashed in Tami village, causing alarm among the community. The initial accounts claimed the helicopter, on a routine operational flight, encountered technical difficulties leading to the crash. According to these reports, the pilot successfully executed emergency protocols and emerged from the wreckage largely unscathed.
Nigerian Air Force helicopter crashes in Kaduna; pilot survives
Earlier, Daily News 24 reported how an Air Force helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) crashed early Monday morning in Tami village, Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred around 5:00 AM, causing significant alarm among local residents.
The helicopter, on a routine operational flight, experienced technical difficulties that led to the crash.
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