26 Nigeria Troops Killed In Ambush, Rescue Helicopter Crashes: Military

A Nigerian air force spokesman confirmed that its Mi-171 helicopter while on a "casualty evacuation mission" crashed on Monday after take-off from Zungeru.

At least 26 members of the Nigerian security forces were killed and eight wounded in an ambush by gunmen in central Nigeria late Sunday, two military sources told AFP.

Additionally, an air force spokesman said a helicopter rescuing the wounded crashed on Monday morning in the area, where the army is fighting criminal groups, without specifying whether the crew and passengers had survived.

The two military officers asked not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak on the incident while military authorities were not available for comment.