In a recent incident, Dainik Bhaskar, a renowned Hindi newspaper, published a news story [archive] claiming that an Indian Air Force Mi-171 helicopter crashed in Nigeria, resulting in the tragic loss of 26 soldiers and injuring 8 others. However, a thorough investigation has unveiled that this claim was not only misleading but entirely false. Yes, the helicopter did crash but it was of Nigerian Air Force and the incident had no connection with the Indian Air Force or India.
Dainik Bhaskar’s report sparked confusion by linking the Nigerian Mi-171 helicopter crash with the Indian Air Force, creating unwarranted panic and distress. Adding to the confusion, the publication utilized an image of a Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft that had tragically crashed in 2018, further exacerbating the misinformation. The 2018 crash was reported by a news portal guardian.ng [archive].
The Reality of the Crash:
Contrary to Dainik Bhaskar’s report, the Nigerian Air Force MI-171 helicopter crashed near Chukuba Village in Niger State, Nigeria. Emerging details suggest that the helicopter came under fire from armed bandits, leading to the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 26 Nigerian soldiers and left 8 others injured. Preliminary investigations were swiftly launched to ascertain the exact cause of the crash. The crash and the attack were reported by news portals such as www.premiumtimesng.com [archive], www.hindustantimes.com [archive] and www.reuters.com [archive].
Fact-Checking and Rebuttals:
Rapid measures were taken to rectify the misleading narrative propagated by Dainik Bhaskar. The Indian government’s fact-checking agency, PIB Fact Check, promptly countered the claims made in the report, categorically stating that the crashed helicopter had no affiliation with the Indian Air Force. Furthermore, PIB Fact Check highlighted the fact that the image used by Dainik Bhaskar was from years ago, raising doubts about the report’s authenticity. In response to PIB Fact Check’s clarification, Dainik Bhaskar deleted the misleading tweets and later issued a corrigendum, admitting their mistake in linking the incident to the Indian Air Force.
Nigeria’s Interest in Indian LCH Prachand:
Coincidentally, it’s worth noting that Nigeria has shown interest in procuring the indigenously produced Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) “Prachand” from India. This strategic move showcases Nigeria’s confidence in Indian defence technology and might be somehow related to the misleading incident reported by Dainik Bhaskar.
Judgment of the Unfortunate Incident:
The incident involving the Mi-171 helicopter crash in Nigeria emphasizes the significance of accurate reporting. Dainik Bhaskar’s report, which inaccurately tied the Nigerian incident to the Indian Air Force, underscores the risks of unchecked misinformation. Following comprehensive analysis and meticulous fact-checking, our team has investigated the claim. You can refer to the findings of this inquiry in the Twitter thread embedded below.
Claim: An Indian Air Force Mi-171 helicopter crashed in Nigeria, resulting in the tragic loss of 26 soldiers and injuring 8 others.
Fact: The tragic incident exclusively involved a Nigerian Mi-171 helicopter and had no association with the Indian Air Force or India.
In our pursuit of accurate and unbiased information, we’ve diligently fact-checked the claims surrounding the incident. Misinformation can sow discord and disrupt communal harmony. Your support matters greatly in our mission to foster an informed and united society. Together, let’s strive to make India and Indians proud, upholding truth and unity. Jai Hind.
