Rescue Helicopter Crashes As 26 Nigerian Troops Reportedly Killed In Ambush

 Air Force MI-171 Helicopter said to be heading to Niger from Kaduna State has crashed in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger around 1 pm on Monday, August 14, 2023.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet while confirming the incident in a statement said preliminary investigations have commenced to determine the probable cause of the crash.

The statement reads:

"A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed today, August 14, 2023, at about 1.00 pm in 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.

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"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.

The AFP News agency in a breaking news report says about 26 Nigeria troops were killed in an ambush.