Metro
Nigerian Air Force jet fighting Boko Haram goes missing
A statement by the Nigerian Airforce has confirmed that it has lost one of its helicopters dedicated for the counter-insurgency operations in the North-East state of Borno.
NAF said the helicopter went missing at Damasak in Northern Borno State around 7:45 pm on Tuesday night while providing “close air support to troops of 145 Battalion”
A statement released late Tuesday night by the spokesperson of the Airforce, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola confirming the incident, said there were not enough details on how the incident occurred but members of the public would be kept abreast as more information emerge.
He said, “NAF Helicopter Lost in Combat: A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helicopter was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State.
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“The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East.
“The incident, occurred about 7:45 pm today, 2 January 2019. Details of the cause of the crash are still scanty. As soon as the details of the crash are known, they will be made available to the public.”
The incident is coming up few days after the Boko Haram insurgents reportedly took over six towns in Borno State forcing the military and residents to flee.
The governor of the State, Kashim Shettima, consequently summoned an emergency meeting of all stakeholders on the persisting rate of terrorism in the region while there has not been media briefing on the resolutions of the meeting .
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