NAF investigates Aerial Vehicle crash in Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force has said its  Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and not aircraft, crashed in Kaduna on Monday.

It said an investigation had commenced to find the reason behind the crash.

The service was reacting to reports earlier that one of its helicopters was involved in an accident.

An eyewitness had told one of our correspondents that the incident occurred around  5 am, causing significant alarm among local residents.

Residents of Tami village were said to have quickly gathered at the crash site, offering assistance where possible and expressing relief that no lives were lost.

 “We heard a loud noise and rushed to the scene. We were surprised and relieved to see the pilot alive,” said a local villager who witnessed the crash.

It was gathered that a team of military officers from the Nigerian Air Force swiftly arrived at the scene to secure the area and conduct an initial investigation.

They cordoned off the crash site to prevent unauthorised access and to ensure the safety of the villagers.

But the NAF spokesperson AVM, Edward Gabkwet, in a statement, explained that it was a drone that crashed after take-off for a mission at a location near Rumji Village.

Gabkwet said, “Contrary to reports on social media as well as on a handful of traditional media outlets that a NAF helicopter had crashed in Kaduna earlier today, 1 July 2024, be informed that no helicopter crash occurred. Instead, an NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle experienced a mishap after take-off for a mission, at a location near Rumji Village and about 15 Km from base. Since it is an unmanned vehicle, there were no casualties on board or ground.”

Gabkwet said an investigation had commenced on the incident, adding that the mishap would not affect its operations.

He said, “Preliminary investigation has since commenced to ascertain what may have caused the mishap. Nigerians can rest assured that this minor setback will not, in any way, impinge on all ongoing operations.”

The According reports that between 2015 and July 2024, Nigeria suffered at least 19 military air crashes, leading to the deaths of many.

But this is the first time a drone crash has been reported.

Some of the incidents include the crash involving a Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, which was involved in a minor accident on March 7, 2024.

In December 2023,  an A MI-35P helicopter belonging to the Air Force crash-landed, with five crew members sustaining injuries.

On February 22, 2021, seven NAF personnel on their way from Abuja to Minna, Niger State, to rescue the abducted students and workers of Government Science College, Kagara, died when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.