BREAKING: Nigerian military helicopter crashes in Kaduna
By KEMI KASUMU
A Nigerian Air Force helicopter has crashlanded in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The DEFENDER’s finding revealed that the community where the crash occurred is very close to the headquarters of the Nigerian Airforce Air Training Centre, Mando, Igabi Local Government Area.
The Management of the Nigerian Airforce is yet to make an official statement over the incident.
Eyewitness said the incident occurred at approximately 5:00 am, causing significant alarm among residents.
The helicopter said to be on a routine operational flight, experienced technical difficulties that led to the crash. Fortunately, the pilot managed to execute emergency protocols effectively, ensuring his survival.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the pilot emerged from the wreckage largely unscathed.
Residents of Tami village quickly gathered at the crash site, offering assistance where possible and expressing relief that no lives were lost.
The DEFENDER’s enquiry to extracts facts and details of the incident from the Nigerian Air Force’s Director of Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, was yet to be responded to as at the time of filing this report on Monday July 1, 2024.
Following the incident, a team of Airforce personnel from the Nigerian Airforce Air Training Centre and 401 Flying School were said to have cordoned off the scene to secure the area for emergency rescue operations and also investigate the cause of the crash.
“We heard a loud noise and rushed to the scene. We were surprised and relieved to see the pilot alive,” said a local villager who witnessed the crash.
It was gathered that a team of military officers from the Nigerian Air Force swiftly arrived at the scene to secure the area and conduct an initial investigation.
They cordoned off the crash site to prevent unauthorised access and to ensure the safety of the villagers. The officers also began preliminary assessments to determine the cause of the crash, which remains unknown at this time.
