Nigerian Military Helicopter Crashes After Attack on Rescue Mission.
A Nigerian military helicopter, dispatched to save wounded soldiers after a brutal assault in central Niger state, encountered disaster on Monday. The chopper was allegedly targeted by bandits and subsequently crashed.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, it is reported that more than a dozen soldiers lost their lives in an ambush in the region where the military has been confronting armed groups.
As reported by the AFP news agency, military sources stated that the attack on Sunday led to the deaths of at least 26 members of the Nigerian security forces, with eight sustaining injuries.
Conversely, local Nigerian media relayed that the ambush resulted in the deaths of a minimum of 13 soldiers.
The rescue helicopter, reportedly carrying 11 of the deceased and seven injured personnel, met a tragic fate with its crash, as outlined by the AFP news agency.
Rescue efforts and investigations are currently in progress, according to a statement from an air force spokesperson. No specific details about casualties resulting from the crash were provided.
Edward Gabkwet, the spokesperson, stated, “The aircraft had taken off from Zungeru Primary School, en route to Kaduna, but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.”
Armed gangs are prevalent throughout central and north-western Nigeria, engaging in robbery and kidnapping for ransom.
