The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) suffered a blow when one of their support helicopters which was deployed in a bid to aid the war against Boko Haram, disappeared.
According to the Punch, NAF is worried that the aircraft might have met an unfortunate end and crashed somewhere.
The Punch reports that the NAF confirmed the missing helicopter and also disclosed that the helicopter was providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State.
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The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in a statement, disclosed that the aircraft went missing about 7:45 pm on Wednesday, and that the Air Force is still fuzzy on the details of the disappearance of the craft.
“A Nigerian Air Force helicopter was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State. The mission was part of the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.” the statement said.
“The incident occurred about 7:45 pm on January 2. Details of the cause of the crash are still scanty. As soon as the details of the crash are known, they will be made available to the public.”
Borno has been a hotbed of Boko Haram and terrorist activity with military bases in Metele, Buni Gari and Baga all being attacked in recent weeks by the insurgents.