NAF helicopter crashes in Port Harcourt

The MI-35P helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has crashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

It was gathered that the crash occurred at about 7:45 a.m. shortly after the helicopter took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.

A statement issued by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Friday, December 1, 2023, said five crew members were aboard the helicopter.

He, however, said all five crew members survived with minor injuries and were being treated at the NAF Medical Centre in Port Harcourt.

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Gabkwet added: “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is currently enroute Port Harcourt to assess the situation, see to the wellbeing of the crew and give further directives.

“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.”

This is coming barely a few months after a helicopter belonging to the NAF crashed in Chukuba, Niger State.

The Star had reported that the NAF spokesperson, Gabkwet, who confirmed the incident, said the aircraft departed Zungeru Primary School en route to Kaduna but later crashed in a village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

He disclosed that the aircraft was on a casualty evacuation mission when the crash occurred on August 14, 2023.

The Star