Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the death of two pilots and three crew members in an helicopter crash, which occurred in Damasak, Borno State, Nigeria on Wednesday.
In a statement by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the NAF disclosed this on Thursday.
Daramola said the 5 crew members, who were on board the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mi-35M Helicopter which crashed in combat yesterday, 2 January 2019, died while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion, Damasak in Borno State.
The statement said, the deceased personnel, whose remains have been recovered to Maiduguri, are 1.Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob – Pilot in Command. 2. Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Paul Kilyofas – Co-Pilot. 3. Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim – Flight Technician 4. Lance Corporal Adamu Nura – Gunner.5. Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael – Gunner.
“The fallen heroes made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our Fatherland, for which the NAF, and indeed the entire Nation, owes them an unending debt of gratitude.
“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf all officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the families of the 5 fallen heroes and prays that the Almighty grants their souls peaceful repose.