The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its MI-35P helicopter crashed on Friday in Port Harcourt shortly after take off.
Several reports had it that the crash occurred at about 7.45 am shortly after the aircraft took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.
According to a statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, five crew members were aboard the helicopter.
He, however, said all the five crew members, survived with minor injuries, and were being treated at the NAF Medical Centre in Port Harcourt.
“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is currently enroute Port Harcourt to assess the situation, 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,” Air Commodore Gabkwet said.
