Crashed Helicopter: NAF Assures Support for Crew’s Families

• Air Chief assures families of MI-171E helicopter crash victims of ongoing support, pledges NAF’s commitment to their well-being
• CAS visits crew families, honors fallen heroes, condoles unit, and emphasizes NAF’s dedication to preventing similar incidents

Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the chief of the air staff, has assured the families of the crew members of the ill-fated MI-171E helicopter that the service would never abandon them.

The CAS made the pledge in Port Harcourt while visiting the families of the MI-171E Helicopter crew members who died in the crash in Niger State on August 14, 2023.

In a statement issued by the director of public relations and information, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, the CAS stated that the loss was a major setback for the NAF that would take some time to recover from.

He assured the families that the NAF would never abandon them and would always be there for them until the end.

The NAF will always stand with you and support you till the end, he said.

He also assured them that their sacrifices would not be in vain, as the NAF family, as well as all Nigerians, would remember them for risking their lives for the sake of the nation’s survival.

The deceased crew members were identified as Flight Lieutenant Adamu Ibrahim, Flight Lieutenant Anthony Duryumus, Lance Corporal Alaribe Daniel, and Lance Corporal Briggs Stephen Peter in the statement.

The statement also revealed that two NAF Regiment personnel, Corporal Jauro Amos and Lance Corporal Abdulrahman Abubakar, were killed in the recent ambush on Nigerian Army personnel in Niger State by terrorists.

Air Marshal Abubakar also took advantage of the visit to meet with the officers and crew members of the unit.

The CAS also condoled with the Unit and thanked them for their dedication and efforts in the ongoing joint military operations in the Niger Delta.

He also stated that the sacrifices of these fallen heroes would not be in vain and that the Nigerian Air Force would do everything in its power to prevent similar incidents in the future.

On 14 August 2023, a NAF MI-171E Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed in Niger State, killing all passengers and four NAF crew members on board.