Nigerian Air Force helicopter crashes during combat with Boko Haram

A Nigerian Air Force helicopter has crashed while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State.

“Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helicopter was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State,” the force’s spokesman, Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement on Thursday.

“The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. The incident occurred about 7:45 pm today, 2 January 2019,” he added.

Daramola further stated the “details of the cause of the crash are still scanty” and stated that more information will be made available as soon as the force obtain more information.

Boko Haram has in recent months intensified attacks on military targets in the northeast which have resulted into killings of many military men.

Since July, over 17 attacks have been reported on Nigerian military bases, most of which were claimed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).