In the aftermath of the unfortunate crash of a Nigerian Air Force MI-35P attack helicopter in Port Harcourt on Friday, 1 December 2023, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar went to Port Harcourt to visit the crew and encourage the personnel of 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG).
Addressing the personnel of 115 SOG, Air Marshal Abubakar encouraged them to see the setback as a setup for a resilient comeback, channelling efforts toward thwarting the activities of economic saboteurs and countering oil theft.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
The Air Chief said to the personnel “You must therefore never be discouraged as the hopes of millions of Nigerians rest on our shoulders. The realization of these aspirations is hinged on our ability to combat all forms of criminality that threaten our peace and stability.”
The Air Chief urged the personnel to see air accidents or mishaps as impetus to propel all NAF personnel towards seeking improved safety management measures, while remaining undeterred and focused in tackling the myriads of security threats facing the nation.
“Times like these are a sad reminder of the inherent risks in military aviation, especially when flying activities, occasioned by our current security challenges, have tremendously increased. As we continue to fly intensively, incidents are bound to occur. Nevertheless, we must continue to ensure we minimize the risk factors as reasonably practicable.”
Air Marshal Abubakar also commended the crew for the professional manner in which they handled the emergency situation they found themselves.
“Your actions were commendable and a decisive factor in mitigating the extent of damage to public property and loss of lives” he noted.
Speaking further, the CAS stated that 115 SOG has been well known for its gallantry and fighting spirit and the mere presence of the MI-35P helicopters on the battlefield has been a game changer.
He pointed out that the helicopters have, over the years, continued to strike fear deep into the hearts of terrorists and other criminals while at the same time boosting the morale of surface forces.
He extended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation for their sacrifices, assuring them of their welfare and other needs to ensure they effectively carry out their assigned duties.
He also informed them that he had directed for the immediate commencement of the accident investigation, “So that we can learn exactly what happened and prevent future occurrences.”
Earlier, the CAS had visited the 5 crew members of the ill-fated aircraft and directed the Commander of the Medical Centre to ensure they received the utmost attention required.
In another department, the Nigerian Air Force has debunked news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft accidentally killed innocent civilians in Kaduna state.
The Air Force through its spokesman informed the public that "the NAF has not carried out any air operations within Kaduna State and environs in the last 24 hours. Also, note that the NAF is not the only organization operating combat armed drones in the North western region of Nigeria"
It is also important to ensure "that due diligence is always exhausted by the media before going to press with unverified and unconfirmed reports"
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