There were fears, Thursday, that an attack helicopter of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, fighting Boko Haram terrorists had crashed.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed the aircraft went missing in a release issued late on Wednesday even as he said details of the disappearance were still scanty.
He said that the helicopter was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State.
According to him, the combat aircraft went missing about 7:45 pm on Wednesday.
“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 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.”
Northern Borno has witnessed a rise in terrorism activities in recent times.
The Islamic State of West African Province fighters have been attempting to overrun military bases in the area, beginning with attacks on Metele,– in November of 2018 and now Buni Gari and Baga in the most recent attempts on December 26 and 27, 2018.