The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that one of its helicopters crash-landed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, today Friday.
The MI-35P chopper crash-landed this morning during manoeuvres in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
In a statement on Friday, Edward Gabkwet, NAF spokesperson, said the accident occurred around “7:45 am shortly after the aircraft took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State”.
NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the development in a statement.
He said everyone on board survived, although with “minor injuries”.
The statement 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.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is currently en route Port Harcourt to access the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew and give further directives.”
In August 2023, NAF MI-171 helicopter crashed near Chukuba Village in Niger State, with the death of crew members.
Then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 military personnel died when a NAF Beachcraft 350 aircraft crashed on May 21, 2021 near the Kaduna International Airport.
In 2021, at least 20 military officers lost their lives within three months in three crashes involving NAF jets.