A Nigerian Air Force MI-171 helicopter crashed Monday afternoon while conducting a casualty evacuation operation in Niger State. The accident occurred near Chukuba Village south of the state capital Minna.

Air Force spokesperson Edward Gabkwet confirmed the incident in a statement. The helicopter had departed Zungeru en route to Kaduna as part of its medical aid mission before going down under unknown circumstances.

The number of crew and passengers aboard the helicopter and their condition are still undetermined as search efforts continue. Preliminary investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of the crash.

This mishap comes a year after a 2021 NAF plane crash that claimed the lives of 7 personnel during a flight from Abuja to Minna. The Air Force has suffered several fatal aviation accidents in recent years during deployments across the country.