A Nigerian Air Force helicopter on Friday, crashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the development in a statement.
He said all those onboard survived with “minor injuries”.
The helicopter with the number NAF MI-35P crashed at exactly 7.45 am shortly after it took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.
“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,” the statement partly read.
He added, “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.”
Describing the incidence, an eyewitness said, “The helicopter, in a series of unfortunate events, crashlanded and subsequently exploded, casting a pall of dread over the base.”
