The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, (NNPCL), has said that it hired the helicopter that crashed into the river in Rivers State yesterday.
Its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, who confirmed the development in an issued statement yesterday, said in the statement: On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.
As earlier reported, there were eight persons on the helicopter when it crashed.
According to Soneye, who gave a breakdown of the status of the passengers, there were six passengers and two crew members aboard the crashed chopper.
According to the Ministry, in a statement signed by the ministry’s Head Press and Public Relations, Odutayo Oluseyi, the helicopter, which was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig, had eight persons on board.
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated”, stated the Ministry.
Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, confirmed that search and rescue operations are currently ongoing. He expressed condolences to the families of those on board, saying: 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.
