An aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force has crashed in Niger State. The ill-fated aircraft was said to be heading to Kaduna State when the unfortunate incident happened on Monday.

In a statement, Director of Public Relations and Information of the Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the aircraft crashed in a village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger.

It partly read, “A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed today, August 14, 2023, at about 1.1.00 pm Chukuba Village in Niger State.

“The aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School en route Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.”

Gabkwet said efforts are ongoing to rescue the pilots and passengers on board

Efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the crew and passengers on board the helicopter, while preliminary investigations have commenced to determine the probable cause of the crash,” the statement added.

Via Daily Trust