For the second time in recent times, another Nigerian military helicopter has crashed and exploded on Thursday in the northeast part of Nigeria.
Expectedly, there are casualties but top security source has declined giving out more information saying the ministry of defence would issue a statement later.
The incident occurred, however, in an area where there were no immediate reports of combat or of Boko Haram activity.
Boko Haram, which seeks to establish a caliphate in religiously mixed northern Nigeria, has stepped up attacks since the government announced a purported ceasefire last month which was later rejected by the group’s leader.
It was the second Nigerian military helicopter to go down this week in Yola, in Adamawa State, after another, according to the defence ministry, made a forced landing shortly after takeoff.
The helicopter may have been heading for a military operation further north from Yola where the military were fighting Boko Haram. The army retook control of the towns of Mubi and Maiha from the insurgents with the help of local hunters and civilian vigilantes on Thursday.
But there was still signs of rebel activity near this area.
About 30 Boko Haram militants stormed the village of Chibok, in Borno State, where the group abducted some 200 schoolgirls seven months ago, raising international outcry. Chibok has been target of a number of attacks since the abductions.
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