Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff, paid a visit to Port Harcourt on Wednesday to extend his heartfelt condolences to the families of the crew members who tragically lost their lives aboard the ill-fated MI-171E Helicopter that crashed in Niger State on August 14, 2023. According to Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Abubakar expressed his deep sympathy for the painful loss experienced by the families. He acknowledged that this loss posed a significant setback for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), a setback that would require a considerable amount of time to overcome.
Air Marshal Abubakar assured the grieving families that despite the challenges, the NAF would remain unwavering in their support. He emphasized the NAF’s commitment to stand by them throughout this difficult period, extending a promise of enduring assistance. “The NAF will always stand with you and support you till the end,” he reassured. He also conveyed the assurance that the sacrifices made by their loved ones would not be in vain. Both the NAF family and the entire nation would forever honor their memory for their ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation’s survival.
The visit also offered Air Marshal Abubakar the opportunity to engage with the officers and personnel of the unit affected. In this interaction, he conveyed his condolences and gratitude for their dedication and contributions to the ongoing joint military operations in the Niger Delta. He reiterated that the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes would not be forgotten and pledged the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.
It’s worth recalling that on August 14, 2023, a NAF MI-171E Helicopter, which was on a casualty evacuation mission, crashed in Niger State, resulting in the tragic loss of all passengers and four NAF crew members on board. The crew members who lost their lives were Flight Lieutenant Adamu Ibrahim, Flight Lieutenant Anthony Duryumus, Lance Corporal Alaribe Daniel, and Lance Corporal Briggs Stephen Peter. Additionally, two NAF Regiment personnel, Corporal Jauro Amos and Lance Corporal Abdulrahman Abubakar, lost their lives in a separate incident. They were part of the Nigerian Army personnel who were ambushed and killed by terrorists in Niger State.
