A Nigerian Air Force platform aircraft carrying out anti-terrorism operations has reportedly crashed in Tami village, Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State. Arise News reports.
For now, it is unclear if it is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or a helicopter.
Following the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, residents immediately gathered at the scene.
Locals said the incident happened around 5 am when they heard a loud sound from the crash site, stating that the pilot emerged from the wreckage.
According to Punch Newspaper, residents of Tami village quickly gathered at the crash site, offering assistance where possible and expressing relief that no lives were lost.
An eyewitness said: “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.”
As of now, no official statement has been released by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) regarding the incident.
Reacting to the news, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), said its was a NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that experienced a mishap, contrary to the reports that said it was an helicopter that crashed
“Contrary to reports on social media as well as on a handful of traditional media outlets that a NAF helicopter had crashed in Kaduna earlier today, 1st July 2024, be informed that no helicopter crash occurred. Instead, 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 ground. Preliminary investigation has since commenced to ascertain what may have caused the mishap.
“Nigerians can be rest assured that this minor setback will not, in anyway, impinge on all ongoing operations.
“It should also be pointed out that the propensity to always rush to press in the name of ‘breaking news’ without a hold of the complete facts should be discouraged in its entirety.
“While the news of the crash filtered in, some outlets had misinformed Nigerians that a helicopter had crashed without the decency to clarify from the NAF.
“This attitude should be discouraged as it negates the principle of developmental journalism, balanced reporting and fairness. Members of the media are again advised to always seek clarification from authorised military outlets before rushing to ‘break’ the news,” Gabkwet said in a statement.