From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI-35P helicopter has crashed at Port Harcourt on Friday.
The unfortunate incident occurred at about 7.45am shortly after the aircraft took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.
Saturday Sun gathered that five persons onboard the aircraft survived the accident.
The incident was confirmed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
Gabkwet disclosed that members of the crew sustained minor wounds and were undergoing treatment at NAF Medical Centre, Port Harcourt.
He said: “Luckily, the entire crew of 5 survived the crash with very minor injuries and are currently being attended to at NAF Medical Centre Port Harcourt.” NAF spokesman added: “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is currently en route Port Harcourt to access the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew and give further directives.”
“An 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. Meanwhile, NAF Base, Port Harcourt, restricted movements into its premises as a result of the crash, which caused panic around the vicinity. Sources within the area said shortly after the helicopter had taken off, people heard a loud sound and saw a thick smoke billowing in the air.