A helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air Force crashed in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, on Friday morning. Edward Gabkwet, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), confirmed the incident through a statement.
According to Gabkwet, all individuals on board survived the crash, albeit with minor injuries. The helicopter, identified as NAF MI-35P with the registration number NAF MI-35P, crashed at 7:45 am during an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.
Fortunately, the entire crew of five members survived with only minor injuries and is currently receiving medical attention at the NAF Medical Centre in Port Harcourt. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is en route to Port Harcourt to assess the situation, ensure the well-being of the crew, and provide further directives.
The recent string of NAF helicopter crashes, resulting in casualties, has raised concerns among aviation and safety experts over the past two years. Stakeholders have urged the military to adhere to standard operating procedures and conduct routine maintenance on its fleet.
In a previous incident in August 2023, an NAF MI-171 Helicopter crashed during a casualty evacuation mission near Chukuba Village in Niger State, resulting in casualties. Additionally, in 2021, three crashes involving NAF jets led to the loss of at least 20 military officers within three months. One of these crashes involved the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 others onboard a NAF Beachcraft 350 aircraft near the Kaduna International Airport on May 21, 2021, resulting in the tragic death of all 11 military personnel.
