BEVERLY HILLS, July 23, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters Wednesday said the missing crew member of a military helicopter that crashed in Bama, in the restive Borno State a few days ago, has been found alive.
The crew member of the Nigerian Air Force Mi-35 helicopter was declared missing after military search and rescue teams failed to account for his body at the site of the crash.
The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade in a statement said: “The Engineer crew member of the crashed Nigerian Air Force Mi-35 Helicopter earlier declared missing has been found alive.
“The crew member who was declared missing when his body could not be located in the vicinity of the crash resurfaced at the military Headquarters in Maiduguri today (Wenesday), having trekked through the bushes after the crash.
Olukolade confirmed that Flight Lieutenant NM Halilu, Co-Pilot and Warrant Officer Augustine Nwanonenyi, the aircraft technician survived the crash while Flight Lieutenant Onyeka Nwakile was the only one lost in the crash.
He added that: “The family of the officer has been duly informed while the two survivors are in stable condition but receiving medical attention.”
Major General Olukolade further said search and rescue operation on the incident has been concluded and “investigation into the crash continues.”
