Olaleye Aluko, AbujaFive crew members, including two pilots and three personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, have been confirmed dead in the helicopter crash which occurred in Damasak, Borno State, late on Wednesday. The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed their deaths in a release on Thursday, noting that their remains had been deposited in Maiduguri, Borno State. The NAF had said the aircraft was lost around 10.30pm on Wednesday, noting that the helicopter was providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State. The NAF’s spokesman, Daramola, had said, “A Nigerian Air Force helicopter was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State. Details of the cause of the crash are still scanty.

Source: Punch January 03, 2019 15:29 UTC