8.4 C
New York
Tuesday, December 24, 2024

NAF jet did not crash, bandits shot it down, killed pilot, 13 soldiers

Published:

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

Evidence has emerged indicating that the MI-171 Fighter Helicopter belonging to the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) en route to Kaduna but crashed in Niger State did not actually crash but was shot down by bandits.

According to further report, the bandits also killed the pilot as well as other thirteen soldiers.

The spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet stated in a statement that the aircraft left Zungeru Primary School en route to Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed in a village in Shiroro local government area of Niger.

He said: “A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed today, August 14, 2023, at about 1.1.00 pm Chukuba Village in Niger State.

“The aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School en route Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

READ ALSO  Certificate Forgery Rocks Anambra Traditional Stool As Ikenga Community Boils

“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”.

However, the villagers who witnessed the crash, reported that bandits actually invaded the village and killed 13 Soldiers.

In the course of the invasion, they also brought down the fighter helicopter and killed the pilot.

Reporting on the incident during a telephone interview with journalists on Monday, the Convener of Shiroro Concerned Youths, Mr. Sanni Kokki, confirmed the incident.

Mr. Kokki also said that the bandits ambushed and killed 13 soldiers along the Zungeru-Tegina road in Madaka Ward of Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, fearing for their lives, the villagers living around the area began a mass exodus moving towards Erena as military personnel arrive in droves to take on the bandits.

READ ALSO  Tragedy In Anambra; 12 Confirmed Dead 32 Injured While Scrambling For Christmas Rice In Okija

“This is another problem again because people are being displaced from their traditional homes to unknown destinations.

“We are having another humanitarian crisis on our hands with the economic challenges confronting our people,” Kokki said.

He, therefore, called on the federal government to come to the aid of the local residents in the troubled areas in order to save innocent lives and their property.

In the meantime, a fresh report from News Band says that villagers in the Chukuba community of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger have fled to neighbouring areas of Erena, Zumba and Gwada in Shiroro, following the NAF helicopter crash in their area.

Akilu Ishaku, Chairman, Shiroro Local Government, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna on Monday.

Source: [News Band]

- Advertisement -spot_img

Hey there! Exciting news - we've deactivated our website's comment provider to focus on more interactive channels! Join the conversation on our stories through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media pages, and let's chat, share, and connect in the best way possible!

Join our social media

For even more exclusive content!

- Advertisement -spot_img

TOP STORIES

- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -

Of The Week
CARTOON

247Ureports Protects its' news articles from plagiarism as an important part of maintaining the integrity of our website.