The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) late this Monday morning, July 1, 2024, broke its silence on the crash of one of its aircraft in Kaduna, explaining, however, that it was an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) popularly known as drone, that was involved and not its helicopter as earlier reported.

The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

“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 Base. Since it is an unmanned vehicle, there were no casualties on board or on ground,” he said.

Gabkwet said that preliminary investigation had since commenced to ascertain what might have caused the mishap.

He assured Nigerians that the minor setback would not, in anyway, impinge on all ongoing operations.

According to him, it should also be pointed out that the propensity to always rush to press in the name of ‘breaking news’ without a hold of the complete facts should be discouraged in its entirety.

“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 principle of developmental journalism, balanced reporting and fairness.

“Members of the media are again advised to always seek clarification from authorized military outlets before rushing to ‘break’ the news,” he added. (NAN)

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