A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter crash-landed and exploded at the NAF Base in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, on Friday, News About Nigeria reports.
The helicopter reportedly crashed while attempting to land at the Force Base in Port Harcourt.
The crash was confirmed by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement released on Friday.
According to the NAF Director of Public Relations, the NAF MI-35P, which had taken off for an operation against oil thieves in Rivers State, crashed at about 7:45 a.m. today.
The NAF PRO also disclosed that the entire crew of five survived the crash with minor injuries and is currently being attended to at the NAF Medical Centre in Port Harcourt.
The NAF PRO expressed gratitude to God for sparing the lives of the crew members and lauded the pilot for the efforts to prevent the helicopter from crashing.
Air Commodore Gabkwet further revealed that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is on his way to Port Harcourt to assess the scene of the incident himself.
He emphasized that such incidents serve as a reminder of the dangers associated with military flying and the risks NAF pilots and technicians face while providing relentless service to humanity and Nigeria.
The NAF PRO also noted that the Force is committed to ensuring that they render their service to the nation and deter criminal elements from engaging in nefarious activities.
