A claim circulating on social media that terrorists shot down a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter in Niger State has been thoroughly debunked by fact-checkers and official sources.
The False Claim
On June 12, 2026, an X user with the handle @Comrdebarde posted a video alleging that terrorists had shot down a NAF helicopter in the Zungeru area of Niger State using AK-47 rifles. The post read: "Terrorists take video and send out the plane and soldiers they killed in Zungeru/Niger State. They said it was an AK-47 they used and shot the plane." When asked by another user whether the incident was recent, the poster confirmed it was.
Verification Reveals the Truth
Fact-checking platform Dubawa investigated the claim using the InVID verification tool. Key frames from the video were extracted and subjected to reverse image searches. The search results led to a report published by PR Nigeria on August 20, 2023, titled "NAF Helicopter Crash, Terrorists’ Propaganda and Military Sacrifice." The same crash was also reported by The Punch and The Cable on August 14, 2023.
According to these reports, the crash occurred in Chukuba Village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, not in Zungeru as claimed. The aircraft was identified as a NAF MI-171E helicopter. Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the NAF spokesperson, confirmed the 2023 incident and stated that the cause of the crash was under investigation. Some residents told AP News that the aircraft might have been shot down by bandits, but this was not officially confirmed.
No Recent Incidents in 2026
Further keyword searches revealed no recent NAF aircraft incidents in 2026. The only other notable crash involving a NAF aircraft in Niger State was an Alpha Jet that went down near Karabonde in Borgu LGA on December 6, 2025. In that incident, both pilots ejected safely. No crashes have been recorded in 2026.
Official Dismissal
Air Commodore Gabkwet dismissed the viral claim in a separate interview, reiterating that the video was from the 2023 crash in Chukuba Village. He urged the public to disregard the false information and rely on official sources for updates on military operations.
Conclusion
The claim that terrorists shot down a NAF helicopter in Zungeru with AK-47 rifles is false. The video used to support the claim is from a 2023 crash in Chukuba Village. No NAF aircraft have been shot down in 2026. The public is advised to verify information before sharing it on social media.
