The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has said that the helicopter, conveying Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, which crash landed in Kabba, Kogi State on Saturday, February 2, 2019, does not belong to it but to Messrs Caverton Helicopters, a civilian operator.
A statement by Ibikunle Daramola, Air Commodore, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF also dismissed a video circulating online showing the crash landing of a military helicopter, from an unrelated incident, which neither occured in Nigeria nor involved NAF or 011 PAF aircraft, portraying it as the one that crashed in Kabba.
Meanwhile, a statement by Caverton Helicopters’ Managing Director / Accountable Manager, Capt. Josiah Choms, has said that the crash occurred due to unusual weather conditions and that they are cooperating with an investigation into the accident which has commenced.
Full text of the statements:
The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to various reports in the media purporting that the Augusta AW139 Helicopter, which was involved in a mishap in Kabba, Kogi State yesterday, 2 February 2019, while conveying the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, belonged to the NAF or was from the 011 Presidential Air Fleet (011 PAF).
Some unscrupulous/undiscerning individuals have even gone so far as to circulate a video showing the crash landing of a military helicopter, from an unrelated incident, which neither occured in Nigeria nor involved NAF or 011 PAF aircraft, portraying it as the one that crashed in Kabba.
The NAF wishes to state categorically that the helicopter that crashed in Kabba does not belong to the NAF or 011 PAF. The owners/operators of the civilian helicopter, Messrs Caverton Helicopters, have already issued a statement on the matter.
In addition, the military Dauphin Helicopter, painted in desert camouflage colour, seen in the video circulating on social media does not belong to the NAF and should not be misrepresented as belonging to the NAF. Accordingly, the general public is advised to disregard such erroneous information and the misleading video.
The NAF joins the Nation in thanking God for sparing the life of our Vice President as well as other passengers and crew members involved in the mishap. We pray for the safety of the Vice President and that all his take-offs will culminate in an equal number of safe landings.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
……………….
Caverton Helicopters Owner Reacts
An Augusta AW139 Helicopter, under management by Caverton Helicopters was involved in a mishap on landing in Kabba, Kogi State around 3pm today (2nd February 2019) as a result of unusual weather conditions.
There were no injuries to the passengers or crew onboard and they were all quickly and safely evacuated.
The relevant authorities have been duly informed and an investigation into the incident has commenced. We will, of course, support the authorities as required.
We wish to reassure the public and our various stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety in all of our operations.
Capt. Josiah CHOMS PhD MNIM
Managing Director / Accountable Manager
