The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its MI-171 helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission has crashed in Niger state.

Edward Gabkwet, spokesperson of NAF, who announced the incident in a statement on Monday, said the helicopter crashed at about 1 pm near Chukuba village in Shiroro LGA of the state.

Gabkwet said the aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School en route to Kaduna, but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba village.

“A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed today, 14 August 2023 at about 1.00 pm near Chukuba village in Niger state,” the statement reads.

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

“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.”

On July 14, a trainer aircraft of the Nigeria Air Force crashed in Markurdi, the Benue state capital.

According to NAF authorities, the trainer aircraft came down 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.

The Cable