It's a UAV that crashed not helicopter, NAF clarifies

The Nigerian Air Force has dismissed a report that its helicopter crashed in Kaduna, saying what crashed was an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Initial media reports quoted residents of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State saying a helicopter crash took place in the early hours of Monday at Taimi village, near Rigachikun. Some of the reports also claimed that the pilot of the helicopter survived the crash.

But in a statement, the spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet said it was a UAV and not a helicopter that crashed.

Gabkwet said, “A NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) experienced a mishap after take-off for a mission, at a location near Rumji Village and about 15 Km from Base. Since it is an unmanned vehicle, there were no casualties on board or on the ground.

“A preliminary investigation has since commenced to ascertain what may have caused the mishap. Nigerians can rest assured that this minor setback will not, in any way, impinge on all ongoing operations.”

It is gathered that a team of Air Force personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Air Training Centre and 401 Flying School cordoned off the scene to secure the area for emergency rescue operations and also investigate the cause of the crash.