The Nigerian Air Force says it has lost radar contact with one of its aircraft while on a routine mission in the country's north-east.

The Director of Public Relations and Information Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the plane had been supporting troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state on Wednesday.

It’s not clear why the aircraft went missing and how many officers were on board. Boko Haram militants have in the past hit military aircraft in the region.

The fleet has also had numerous accidents in recent years.

Seven air force officers were killed in a crash in February after reporting engine failure during a support mission.

And in 2017 a military plane mistakenly bombed a camp for people displaced by Boko Haram violence in Borno state killing more than one hundred civilians.