Metro

Military, NEMA Comb Sea For Crashed Helicopter’s Passengers

Published

10 months ago

October 25, 2024

A Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by East Wind Aviation crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, killing three persons.

The military, National Emergency Management Agency and emergency locators immediately began search operations for the passengers of the helicopter.

The aircraft, conveying workers of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, ditched into the ocean and no one was yet to have come out alive from the incidents as of the time of filing this report.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the unfortunate incident to our correspondent through a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi.

The accident occurred at approximately 11:22 am on Thursday along the waterways near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, while the helicopter was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.

The aircraft had eight people on board, six of which were staffers of the NNPC, and two crew members.

Oluseyi expressed the minister’s deep pains and extended his prayers to the families of the deceased.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board, and we are committed to providing the necessary support during this difficult time.

“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received, manual efforts to determine the accident location are underway.

“All available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivors. So far, three bodies have been recovered,” the statement read.

An incident report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau explained how the aircraft came down into the Atlantic Ocean.

The NSIB, in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, stated that the helicopter, which was carrying eight individuals including “six passengers and two crew members”, went down into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar, during a routine flight.

The PUNCH had reported earlier that three people lost their lives in the helicopter crash in Rivers state.

Olajide explained that the tragedy struck after the helicopter, which was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base, lost contact with controllers around 10:52 am.

He added that the sudden loss of contact between the control room and the aircraft forced the authorities to manually plot the accident’s location to expedite search and rescue efforts.

The statement reads: “The aircraft was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the Anton Offshore Facility when it lost contact with air traffic controllers around 10:52 am. Operating under Visual Flight Rules, the helicopter did not transmit an Emergency Locator Transmitter signal, prompting authorities to manually plot the accident’s location to expedite search and rescue efforts.

“Search and rescue operations were activated immediately, with the NSIB collaborating closely with the National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and other relevant agencies.

“Emergency response teams are actively working to locate survivors, with three bodies recovered so far. The search continues with support from neighbouring aerodromes, military units, and low-flying aircraft.”

The Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, expressed sorrow over the incident, adding that his prayers were with the families of the deceased.

Badeh stated, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragic incident. We are fully committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding this accident. We will work diligently to ensure that all necessary information is collected.

“The public must avoid speculation during this sensitive time, as our focus is on providing clarity and accountability through our investigation.”

Additionally, the NSIB said it was actively preparing to dispatch a go-team to the scene to gather evidence and conduct a comprehensive analysis.

“A preliminary report will be issued in due course to provide updates on the investigation’s progress.

“We remain dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability through our independent accident investigation process, ultimately enhancing transportation safety in Nigeria,” the NSIB said.

Also in a statement by the NNPCL signed by its spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, the company said the appropriate authorities had been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation.

He added that the company’s prayers were with the families of the deceased, promising that updates would be given as events unfolded.

The statement read: “On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22 am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.

“There were eight persons on board (six passengers and two crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement.

“Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three bodies have been recovered. We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold.

“Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time. We will continue to do everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.”

In the history of Nigerian aviation, a large number of air crashes involving passenger planes have been recorded.

The Kano crash of BOAC Argonaut in 1956 may have been the beginning of all the unfortunate air crashes that followed suit.

While some were as fatal as claiming the lives of the entire passengers and crew, some recorded notable survivals.

The last in history in the country occurred in 2021, as the NAF Beechcraft King Air aircraft crashed en route to Kaduna International Airport from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.
PUNCH

Metro

Truck Crushes Man Rushing For Jumu’ah Prayers In Rivers

Published

6 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

A trailer loaded with goods has crushed a Muslim faithful rushing for Friday prayers to death in Port Harcourt.

According to Vanguard, the tragic incident happened on the ever-busy Nkpolu junction axis of the East-West road, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, around 2:05 pm.

It was gathered that the victim was crossing the busy road when a black SUV on speed knocked him down and that the truck, which was on high speed, crushed him to death.

A source, who witnessed the incident, narrated that the young man was behind some of his Muslim brothers, who were also going for the Friday prayers, when the incident happened.

The source, who gave his name simply as Tunde, said the other worshipers had crossed, but that the victim, who did not observe the traffic very well before entering the road, was knocked down by the vehicle.

The source said that when the SUV brought him down, a trailer that was on the speed lane ran over him, dismembering the body beyond recognition.

However, the Muslim faithful who were with him took over the highway in protest until police operatives arrived at the scene.

Meanwhile, the police restored normalcy while the protesting Muslims took the remains for burial.

Metro

Three Killed As Suspected Bandits Ambush Motorists In Kwara

Published

15 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits have allegedly launched a deadly attack on motorists along the Rore and Aranorin communities in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving at least three people dead.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday, threw residents and travellers into a state of panic as news of the killings spread across the area.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the victims were seen lying lifeless on the roadside, their bodies partially covered with clothing and leaves by sympathisers who arrived at the scene after the attackers had fled.

Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that the armed men, believed to be operating from hideouts in nearby forests, opened fire on the unsuspecting motorists in what appeared to be a coordinated ambush.

It remains unclear whether the attackers also abducted any victims during the assault, as details were still emerging as of Friday morning.

The attack is the latest in a growing wave of violence that has gripped Kwara State’s Ifelodun and Irepodun local government areas in recent months.

Communities such as Babanla, Shegbe, Ologomo, Alabe, and Oreke in Ifelodun Local Government have faced repeated attacks, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their ancestral homes.

Many victims have been kidnapped for ransom, while others have been killed in similar raids.

Residents expressed fears that the violence could escalate further unless urgent security measures are taken.

Some community leaders have called on both the state and federal governments to deploy more security personnel to the affected areas, noting that many villages have been left vulnerable as attacks continue unabated.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on the incident.

However, sources indicate that security operatives have been mobilised to the area to prevent further violence and reassure residents.

On August 24, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that hours after Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area to reassure residents of improved security, suspected bandits abducted two people in the area.

The governor visited the area to reassure residents and restore a sense of security amid ongoing fears of banditry and kidnappings.

However, the criminals struck soon after his departure, highlighting the persistent threat and heightening tension in the community.

The incident reportedly threw residents into fresh panic despite earlier promises of tighter security measures.

Metro

Suspected Amasiri Warriors Invade Ebonyi Community, Behead Farmer Amid Land Dispute

Published

15 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

Tragedy struck on Tuesday, August 26, at Okporojo Idima, Oso Edda in the Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as armed warriors from neighbouring Amasiri community reportedly invaded the farmland of one Mr. Dike Nnachi, beheaded him, and took his head away as a trophy.

The attack marks a continuation of violent hostilities in the area, coming barely four months after the April invasion in which at least four people, including a pregnant woman and her 12-year-old son, were brutally killed.

That incident also left property worth millions of naira destroyed.

Residents told reporters that the latest killing has deepened fears across Oso Edda, as locals now question the effectiveness of the state government’s ongoing peace efforts.

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, had, through the Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, initiated dialogue between warring communities to stem the tide of violence.

However, Tuesday’s bloodshed is seen as a direct challenge to those peace moves.

Community leaders have called for urgent intervention, warning that unless decisive action is taken, the violence could escalate further, leaving more lives and property in jeopardy.

In April, renewed violence broke out over a longstanding land dispute between Ndukwe community in Amasiri, Afikpo Local Government Area, and Okporojo in Edda Local Government Area of the state.

The hostilities left houses and properties worth millions of naira destroyed, as attackers, reportedly from Amasiri, launched assaults on Okporojo.

The worsening security situation forced many residents of Edda to abandon the Amasiri road, opting instead to travel through Afikpo town due to fear of further attacks.

Although previous administrations attempted to resolve the crisis, including the release of a white paper based on a government committee’s recommendations, implementation has reportedly stalled, allowing the conflict to fester and violence to recur.