The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the crash of its MI-35P helicopter in Port Harcourt.
In a statement by NAF spokesman Edward Gabkwet, he said the NAF MI-35P crashed at exactly 7:45 a.m. shortly after it took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.
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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 the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is currently en route to Port Harcourt to access the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew, and give further directives.”
The spokesman said further that the “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”.
Gabkwet added that they are being attended to at NAF Medical Centre, Port Harcourt.
Here is the statement:
PRESS RELEASE
NAF MI-35P HELICOPTER SUFFERS MISHAP
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI-35P helicopter crashed at Port Harcourt today, December 1, 2023.
The unfortunate incident occurred at about 7.45 a.m., 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 the NAF Medical Centre in Port Harcourt. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is currently en route to Port Harcourt to access the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew, and give further directives.
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.
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