The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has clarified that what crashed on Monday morning in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), not helicopter as earlier reported in the media.
Locals had earlier said it was a helicopter crashed at Taimi village, near Rigachikun, a community close to the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force Air Training Centre, Mando.
But spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, later confirmed that it was a UAV, not helicopter as earlier believed.
Gabkwet said: “A NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) 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 on the ground.
“A 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.”
In the wake of the incident, a team of Airforce personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Air Training Centre and 401 Flying School were said to have cordoned off the scene to secure the area for emergency rescue operations and also investigate the cause of the crash.
