On Friday morning, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI-35P helicopter has crashed and exploded at Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
Although the cause of the crash is yet unknown, all five crew members have survived and have been sent to a military facility for medical attention.
In a statement, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, a spokesman for the NAF, stated that the crash happened at approximately 7.45 am, not long after the plane took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.
He said: “Fortunately, the entire crew of 5 survived the crash with very minor injuries and are currently being attended to at NAF Medical Centre Port Harcourt.”
He went on to say that Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, had flown straight to Port Harcourt to personally inspect the situation and “see to the wellbeing of the crew and give further directives.”
According to a NAF official, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the perils involved with military aviation as well as “the onerous tasks NAF pilots and technicians face in their deterrent of criminal elements’ nefarious activities” and country defense.
