A spokesman told CNN that the plane was in surveillance operations in the state of Niger as part of efforts to rescue at least 42 schoolchildren and staff members taken by gunmen from the Kagara Government School of Science on Wednesday past. One student died during the attack.
Deputy Air Marshal Ibikunle Daramola told CNN on Monday afternoon that the air force had donated the military aircraft to a joint working group coordinating the rescue operation in Kagara.
“The rescue effort is being coordinated by a team of several agencies … the crashed plane was part of the Air Force’s contribution to the rescue mission,” he added.
Daramola told CNN that the air force would continue to support the rescue operation.
He added that all staff families have been informed and an investigation has been launched.
Ongoing rescue efforts followed a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the armed forces and police to ensure the rescue of all captives.