ANhelicopter MI-171 belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has crashed near Chukuba Village in Niger State.

Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission crashed on Monday near Chukuba Village in Niger State.

NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed the accident in a statement, said the helicopter was on casualty evacuation mission to the state.

The accident happened at about 1pm and the number of persons onboard or their state were unknown as of press time.

Gabkwet said: “The aircraft had departed Zungeru Primary School enroute Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed near Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

“Efforts are currently ongoing to rescue the crew and passengers on board the helicopter, while preliminary investigations have commenced to determine the probable cause of the crash,” he added.