Air force helicopter crashes after attack in north-central Nigeria: sources


  • World
  • Tuesday, 15 Aug 2023

ABUJA (Reuters) - A Nigerian Air Force helicopter crashed in the north-central Nigerian state of Niger on Monday, with sources saying it had come under fire from armed bandits.

The helicopter crashed near Chukuba village in the Shiroro local government area of the state, air force spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said.

An investigation was under way, he said. It was not known how many people were on board.

Niger state lies hundreds of kilometres southeast of Niamey, the capital of the country of Niger where a junta seized power in a coup last month.

Two military sources said bandits fired at the helicopter which had been sent to evacuate victims of an attack on Sunday that killed at least 10 soldiers caught up in an ambush.

Armed gangs are rife across Nigeria's northwest where they rob and kidnap for ransom. Thousands of people have been killed in attacks in recent years.

Islamist group Boko Haram is also active in northern Nigeria alongside the Islamic State of West Africa, a regional affiliate of Islamic State.

(Reporting by Camillus Eboh, Lanre Ola and Ahmed Kingimi in Maiduguri; Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Putin says Russia will keep testing new missile in combat
COVID-19 can raise risk of heart problems for years: study
Adanis knew of US probe when they sold bribe-linked assets to TotalEnergies, prosecutors say
Mysterious chemical byproduct in U.S. tap water finally identified: report
Large accounting firms to be forced to submit financial statements to U.S. regulator
South African parliament urges developed nations to commit financial resources to climate fight
Over 167,000 pounds of ground beef recalled in U.S. for E. coli concerns
Ukraine accuses Russian forces of executing five POWs
U.S. budget airlines struggle as giant fliers get more shares: report
Zambia to roll out oral cholera vaccine distribution in hotspots

Others Also Read