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A Nigerian Air Force helicopter crashed and exploded at the NAF Base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, December 1, 2023.
The incident occurred at around 7.45 am shortly after the aircraft took off for an operation against oil thieves in the state.
"I was inside my apartment when I heard this thunderous sound at the NAF Base," an eyewitness said. "The next thing I saw was a thick flame. I don't know if there are casualties because I can't go close to the scene for now. But I heard a blast twice."
The Nigerian Air Force confirmed the crash in a statement, saying that the NAF MI-35P helicopter had taken off to embark on an operation against oil thieves in Rivers State.
"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 statement said.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, is on his way to the scene to assess the situation.
"The Chief of Air Staff is currently en route to Port Harcourt to assess the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew, and give further directives," the statement added.
"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," the statement concluded.
