Director of Public Relations and Information of Nigerian Airforce (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet has confirmed that NAF helicopter crashlanded at its base in Port Harcourt.
In the statement, Air Commodore Gabkwet said the NAF MI-35P also exploded after it Crashlanded .
The statement said the helicopter took off to embark on an operation against oil thieves in parts of Rivers State with five persons on board.
“A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 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.’
“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.”