The Nigerian
Air Force (NAF) confirmed on Thursday that one of its helicopters crashed into
a pool of water in Maiduguri, Borno State.
However, no
life was lost in the incident.
The Chief of
the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has constituted a panel of inquiry
to unearth the cause of the incident.
A statement
issued by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore
Olatokunbo Adesanya, said members of the board of inquiry are already in
Maiduguri to carry out their assignment on the crash which occurred in the
early hours of Thursday.
The
statement reads: “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Agusta 109 Light Utility
Helicopter has suffered a mishap while undertaking a liaison mission targeted
at further enhancing the synergy between the Nigerian Army and the NAF in the
ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North East.
“The
incident, which occurred today, 6 July 2017, was as a result of an airborne
technical fault with the helicopter.
“The
experienced NAF pilots, however, successfully ditched the helicopter into a
pool of water to minimize damage and loss of lives.
“Consequently,
there were neither any injuries nor loss of lives to anyone on board or on the
ground.
“The Chief
of the Air Staff has immediately directed the constitution of a board of
inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incident while efforts are ongoing
to recover the helicopter and members of the board are already in Maiduguri to
commence work.
“The NAF
continues to solicit the understanding and support of the general populace as
it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.”
0 Comments