BREAKING: Panic As Military Helicopter Crashlands in Port Harcourt, Details Emerge
- The Nigerian military has been thrown into shock following a crash that occurred in Port-Harcourt
- The air force helicopter reportedly crashland and exploded on Friday morning, December 1st, 2023 at the NAF base
- Eyewitnesses reported a thunderous sound and a subsequent thick flame, prompting concerns about potential casualties
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements
Rivers state, Port Harcourt - On Friday, December 1, crew members cheated death as a Nigeria Air Force (NAF) helicopter, reportedly crashlanded and exploded at the NAF Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.
Source: Facebook
Nigerian Air Force witnessed a scary moment
Although what led to the crash could not be immediately ascertained, The Punch reported that the incident occurred in the wee hours of Friday, around 7.50am to be precise.
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Leadership also reported that all the five crew members survived and have been evacuated to a military facility for treatment.
Confirming the development, a source said:
“I was inside my apartment when I heard this thunderous sound at the NAF Base.
“The next thing I saw was a thick flame. I don’t know if there are casualties because I can’t go close to the scene for now. But I heard a blast twice. ”
NAF spokesman, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the development in a statement.
According to Gabkwet, the crash occurred at about 7.45am shortly after the aircraft 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.”
As reported by The Nation, he added that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has immediately moved to Port Harcourt to assess the situation for himself and “see to the wellbeing of the crew and give further directives.”
How NAF helicopter crashed in Niger state
Earlier, the Nigerian Air Force disclosed that its MI-171 Helicopter, on a casualty evacuation mission, crashed on Monday, August 14. It crashed in Badna, Chukuba ward, near Chukuba village.
In a statement sent to Legit.ng and signed by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the director of public relations and information for the Nigerian Air Force, the aircraft crashed at about 1 pm near Chukuba Village in Niger State.
Tinubu attends Kaduna Armed Forces graduation
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu arrived at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji in Kaduna State.
The president will attend the graduation ceremony of the senior course 25 of the AFCSC as a special guest of honour.
The Armed Forces Command and Staff College was established for Joint Service to train operational and tactical level officers.
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Source: Legit.ng
