A Nigerian Air Force helicopter has crash-landed and exploded at the NAF Base, Port Harcourt.
Chronicle NG reports that the incident occurred around 7.50 a.m., though what led to the crash could not be immediately ascertained.
A source said, “I was inside my apartment when I heard this thunderous sound at the Nigerian Air Force Base.
Confirming the crash in a statement, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the NAF MI-35P had taken off to embark on an operation against oil thieves in Rivers State.
He added that five people on board survived with minor injuries.
The statement read, “A Nigerian Air Force MI-35P helicopter has crashed at Port Harcourt today, December 1, 2023. The unfortunate incident occurred at about 7.45 am, shortly after the aircraft took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.
“Fortunately, the entire crew of five survived the crash with very minor injuries and are currently being attended to at NAF Medical Centre Port Harcourt.’
He said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is on his way to the scene to assess the situation.
“The Chief of Air Staff is currently en route to Port Harcourt to assess the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew, and give further directives.
“An incident of this nature is yet again a grim reminder of the dangers associated with military flying and the risks NAF pilots and technicians experience in their onerous tasks of defending our nation and deterring criminal elements from their nefarious activities,” the statement added.
