The Nigerian Air Force has clarified that no helicopter crash occurred, instead, a NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) experienced a mishap after takeoff for a mission near Rumji Village, approximately 15 km from the base.
In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Vice Marshall Edward Gabkwet said that “since it is an unmanned vehicle, there were no casualties on board or on ground.”
According to him, contrary to reports on social media and a few traditional media outlets, a NAF helicopter did not crash in Tami village, located in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He said that “preliminary investigation has since commenced to ascertain what may have caused the mishap.
“Nigerians can be rest assured that this minor setback will not, in anyway, impinge on all ongoing operations.”
Gabkwet emphasized that the propensity to rush to press in the name of ‘breaking news’ without having all the facts should be discouraged entirely.
He said; While the news of the crash filtered in, some outlets had misinformed Nigerians that a helicopter had crashed without the decency to clarify from the NAF.
“This attitude should be discouraged as it negates the principle of developmental journalism, balanced reporting and fairness.”
Meanwhile, members of the media again are advised to always seek clarification from authorised military outlets before rushing to ‘break’ the news
Mercy Chukwudiebere
