Unmanned Aerial Vehicle crashed in Kaduna not helicopter – Nigerian Air Force clarifies
Story from Idris UMAR, Zaria
The Nigerian Air Force has debunked reports making rounds on Monday morning that a NAF helicopter crashed in Kaduna State.
Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, via a statement on Monday, 1 July 2024, said a NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) experienced a mishap after take-off for a mission, at a location near Rumji Village and about 15 Km from Base.
Adding that since it is an unmanned vehicle, there were no casualties on board or on ground.
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The statement urged members of the media to verify information from authorised military outlets before rushing to ‘break’ the news.
Gabkwet said preliminary investigation has since commenced to ascertain what may have caused the mishap.
The statement urged Nigerians to be rest assured that the minor setback will not, in anyway, impinge on all ongoing operations.
“It should also be pointed out that the propensity to always rush to press in the name of ‘breaking news’ without a hold of the complete facts should be discouraged in its entirety.
“While the news of the crash filtered in, some outlets had misinformed Nigerians that a helicopter had crashed without the decency to clarify from the NAF.
“This attitude should be discouraged as it negates the principle of developmental journalism, balanced reporting and fairness.