Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter Crashes in Niger

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 helicopter has crashed in a village in Niger State, multiple reports say.

The small military aircraft was said to have crashed while on a casualty evacuation mission on Monday, August 14, 2023.

The unfortunate incident reportedly occurred near Chukuba village in Niger State, northern Nigeria, at about 1.00 pm.

It is not certain if the pilot survived the crash. It is also not clear if the helicopter was carrying other persons when it forcefully landed.

However, the spokesman of NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, according to NTA, explained that the aircraft departed Zungeru Primary School enroute 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.