A Nigerian military helicopter has crashed in the country’s oil-rich southern delta, just days after one of its jets crashed.
A statement from Nigeria’s Air Force said the crash happened Thursday morning at its base in Port Harcourt and that the crew escaped unharmed. Local witnesses described seeing a plume of smoke rise from the base.
The air force identified the helicopter as a Russian-made Mil Mi-24B attack helicopter. The statement said an investigation into the cause of the crash has started.
Nigeria has a history of major aviation crashes, both with civilian aircraft and military airplanes. On Monday, a Nigerian Air Force Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet fighter crashed 37 miles west of Niamey, the capital of Niger, killing two pilots.
By The Associated Press
