August 17, (THEWILL) – The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, confirmed that three officers and 22 soldiers were killed in Niger State.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, confirmed the casualties while giving an update on the ambush of troops in Niger State and an evacuation helicopter that crashed on August 14, 2023.
The breakdown was given at the biweekly briefing of the Defence Media Operations.
When asked about the cause of the helicopter crash, he restated that an investigation is still underway to determine the cause.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Wednesday, in response to a viral video allegedly depicting the wreckage of the crashed MI-171 helicopter with bodies of victims at Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, had urged citizens to be wary of propaganda by terrorists.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the NAF said it would not give in to the propaganda peddled by terrorists on the crashed aircraft.
Similarly, Buba, on Thursday, urged Nigerians to disregard propaganda about the crashed military helicopter and remain patriotic.
He said the aircraft evacuated 14 previously killed soldiers and seven in action before the incident.
The DHQ spokesman also said the helicopter had two pilots and two crew members onboard.
