The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has refuted the report that its helicopter crashed, News About Nigeria reports.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
He noted that it was the Force’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), popularly known as a drone, that crashed in Kaduna on Monday morning and not its helicopter, as earlier reported.
He stated that the UAV had experienced a mishap after take-off for a mission, at a location near Rumji Village and about 15 km from the base, adding that there were no casualties on board or the ground.
Gabkwet further noted that a preliminary investigation had since commenced to ascertain what might have caused the mishap, and assured Nigerians that the minor setback would not, in any way, impinge on all ongoing operations.
He also condemned the propensity to always rush to the press in the name of ‘breaking news’ without a grasp of the complete facts, stating that it should be discouraged in its entirety.
“Contrary to reports on social media as well as on a handful of traditional media outlets that a NAF helicopter had crashed in Kaduna earlier today, July 1, be informed that no helicopter crash occurred.
“Instead, a NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) experienced a mishap after take-off for a mission, at a location near Rumji Village and about 15 km from the base. Since it is an unmanned vehicle, there were no casualties on board or the ground.
“While the news of the crash filtered in, some outlets had misinformed Nigerians that a helicopter had crashed without the decency to clarify from the NAF.
“This attitude should be discouraged as it negates the principles of developmental journalism, balanced reporting, and fairness.
“Members of the media are again advised to always seek clarification from authorised military outlets before rushing to ‘break’ the news,” he stated.
