The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its MI-35P helicopter crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday morning shortly after take off.
It said the crash occurred about 7.45 am shortly after the helicopter took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in the state.
Five crew members were aboard the helicopter, according to a statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Friday in Abuja,.
He, however, said all the crew members survived with minor injuries, and were already receiving treatment at the NAF Medical Centre in Port Harcourt.
Gabkwet said: “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.”
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