The Nigerian Air Force says its Agusta 109 Light Utility Helicopter suffered a mishap while in operation in an unnamed location in the North East.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.

Initial mission

Adesanya explained that the mission of the helicopter was to further enhance the synergy between the Nigerian Army and NAF in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the region.

He noted that the incident, which occurred on Thursday, was as a result of a technical fault.

He added that ”the experienced NAF pilots, however, successfully ditched the helicopter into a pool of water to minimise damage and loss of lives.

”Consequently, there were neither injuries nor loss of lives to anyone on board or on ground.”

According to him, NAF command has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incidence.

”Members of the board are already in Maiduguri to commence work,” he said.