A spokesperson told CNN that the plane was operating on surveillance in the state of Niger as part of efforts to rescue at least 42 school children and staff taken by gunmen from the Government Science School Kagara last Wednesday. One student died in the attack.
Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola told CNN Monday afternoon that the Air Force had donated the military plane to a joint task force coordinating the rescue operation in Kagara.
“The rescue is being coordinated by a team of multiple agencies … the crashed plane was part of the Air Force’s contribution to the rescue mission,” he added.
Daramola told CNN the Air Force would continue to support the rescue operation.
He added that all families of the staff have been informed and an investigation has been launched.
The ongoing rescue efforts followed a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari to the armed forces and police to ensure that all prisoners are rescued.