The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has pledged the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering assistance to the families of the individuals who tragically lost their lives in the MI-171E Helicopter crash in Niger State on August 14, 2023.
Abubakar said this when he visited Port Harcourt to extend his condolences to the families of the crew members.
While offering his sympathies for the painful loss, Air Marshal Abubakar conveyed that the incident dealt a significant blow to the NAF, necessitating a considerable amount of time for the Service to recover from.
He reassured the grieving families that the NAF would stand unwaveringly by their side, emphasizing that their support would be enduring.
He articulated, “The NAF is committed to standing by you and providing assistance throughout.”
Also, he assured the families that the sacrifices made by their loved ones would hold meaning, as both the NAF community and all citizens of Nigeria would forever remember their valor in sacrificing their lives for the nation’s survival.
During his visit, Air Marshal Abubakar took the opportunity to engage with the officers and personnel of the unit. In these interactions, he conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the unit and expressed gratitude for their dedication and contributions in the ongoing collaborative military operations in the Niger Delta.
He further pledged that the heroic sacrifices of those who lost their lives would not go in vain, asserting that the Nigerian Air Force would take every conceivable measure to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
It’s essential to recall that on August 14, 2023, a NAF MI-171E Helicopter, which was on a mission for casualty evacuation, crashed in Niger State, resulting in the unfortunate loss of all passengers and four NAF crew members on board. The names of the departed crew members are Flight Lieutenant Adamu Ibrahim, Flight Lieutenant Anthony Duryumus, Lance Corporal Alaribe Daniel, and Lance Corporal Briggs Stephen Peter.
It’s also noteworthy to mention that two NAF Regiment personnel, Corporal Jauro Amos and Lance Corporal Abdulrahman Abubakar, tragically lost their lives as part of the Nigerian Army personnel who were recently ambushed and killed by terrorists in Niger State.