The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has commiserated with the families of the deceased crew members of the ill-fated MI-171E Helicopter that crashed in Niger State on 14 August 2023.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Nigerian Air Force, Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
While condoling the families, Air Marshal Abubakar stated that the loss was a major setback for the Nigerian Air Force, which would take the Service some time to get over.
He assured the families that the NAF would never abandon them.
“The NAF will always stand with you and support you till the end”, while assuring them that their sacrifices would not be in vain as the NAF family, as well as all Nigerians, would forever remember them for giving their lives for the survival of the nation.
Air Marshal Abubakar also used the opportunity of the visit to interact with the officers and personnel of the unit.
During the interactive session, the CAS expressed his condolence to the Unit and appreciated them for their commitment and efforts in the ongoing joint military operations in the Niger Delta.
He also assured them that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would not be in vain and that the Nigerian Air Force would do everything possible to forestall such occurrences in the future.
It would be recalled that a NAF MI-171E Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed in Niger State on 14 August 2023, killing the entire passengers and 4 NAF crew members on board.
The deceased crew members include Flight Lieutenant Adamu Ibrahim, Flight Lieutenant Anthony Duryumus, Lance Corporal Alaribe Daniel and Lance Corporal Briggs Stephen Peter.
Two NAF Regiment personnel, Corporal Jauro Amos and Lance Corporal Abdulrahman Abubakar also lost their lives as part of the Nigerian Army personnel who were recently ambushed and killed by terrorists in Niger State.
PIAK
