From: Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said one of its helicopters engaged in the ongoing counter insurgency war crashed in the early early hours of Thursday.
The aircraft, an Augusta 109 Light Utility Helicopter, was said to have suffered a mishap while undertaking a liaison mission targeted at further enhancing the synergy between the Nigerian Army and the NAF in the ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the North East.
Although no live was lost as the pilot successfully ditched the helicopter into a pool of water to minimize damage and loss of lives, the NAF, authorities are making efforts to recover the helicopter at the crash site.
NAF, director of public relations and information, Air Commodore Adetokunbo Adesanya, who made this known in a statement, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, The Chief of the directed that a board of inquiry be constitution to determine the exact cause of the incidence.
Adesanya, who said members of the board are already in Maiduguri to commence work, called for the understanding and support of the public for the NAF, as it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.